MORE than 30 000 cases of rape, abuse and violence against men have been reported around the province in the past five years.
However, this number is believed to be a fraction, or a mere 30%, of all actual cases involving such atrocities against men.
Men have up until now been regarded as the sole perpetrators of gender-based violence and sexual abuse, but often suffer themselves.
This was revealed yesterday by the Eastern Cape Men’s Sector chairman Reverend Lulama Ntshingwa, who said the majority of cases committed against men were “swept under the carpet”.
Ntshingwa was speaking to the Daily Dispatch at the International Men’s Day commemoration event held in Magaleni Township in Fort Beaufort.
Amathole District Municipality Speaker Sandla Jida said the venue was chosen due to the high rate of gender-based violence and abuse against women in the area.
International Men’s Day is celebrated worldwide on November 19, with yesterday’s event attended by more than 1 500 men, women and children.
The build-up to the event themed “keep men and boys safe” included a march around the area to raise awareness on issues such as violence against women, rape and deaths in circumcision initiation schools.
Ntshingwa said contrary to popular belief, men and young boys were also victims of rape and violence.
“We have quite a number of cases brought to our attention from across the province.
“We have heard reports of more than 30 000 cases of rape, abuse and violence perpetrated against men in the past five years and we are saying that needs to be looked at.
“However, I must state t reported cases are just a drop in the ocean compared to what the real picture is out there.
“We believe the number of reported cases only accounts for 30% of cases and we are very concerned about the silent 70% that continues to suffer,” Ntshingwa said. He urged men to speak out. “Men are also harassed and raped and we are saying they must speak out loud against whoever commits them.”
He said boys were molested “every day” and kept quiet.
Thousands of men raped, abused
However, this number is believed to be a fraction, or a mere 30%, of all actual cases involving such atrocities against men.
Men have up until now been regarded as the sole perpetrators of gender-based violence and sexual abuse, but often suffer themselves.
This was revealed yesterday by the Eastern Cape Men’s Sector chairman Reverend Lulama Ntshingwa, who said the majority of cases committed against men were “swept under the carpet”.
Ntshingwa was speaking to the Daily Dispatch at the International Men’s Day commemoration event held in Magaleni Township in Fort Beaufort.
Amathole District Municipality Speaker Sandla Jida said the venue was chosen due to the high rate of gender-based violence and abuse against women in the area.
International Men’s Day is celebrated worldwide on November 19, with yesterday’s event attended by more than 1 500 men, women and children.
The build-up to the event themed “keep men and boys safe” included a march around the area to raise awareness on issues such as violence against women, rape and deaths in circumcision initiation schools.
Ntshingwa said contrary to popular belief, men and young boys were also victims of rape and violence.
“We have quite a number of cases brought to our attention from across the province.
“We have heard reports of more than 30 000 cases of rape, abuse and violence perpetrated against men in the past five years and we are saying that needs to be looked at.
“However, I must state t reported cases are just a drop in the ocean compared to what the real picture is out there.
“We believe the number of reported cases only accounts for 30% of cases and we are very concerned about the silent 70% that continues to suffer,” Ntshingwa said. He urged men to speak out. “Men are also harassed and raped and we are saying they must speak out loud against whoever commits them.”
He said boys were molested “every day” and kept quiet.
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