Everyone must be outraged by rape

MADAM very well done to The Herald! Two columns on the leader page focused on the way the South African nation treats its women and children – and its apparent growing lack of empathy and reaction to rape and domestic abuse reports.

Are we becoming a nation of burgeoning psychopaths?

In the midst of the ongoing wrangling among certain politicians as they play the fool with our money, (and the silly season is again upon us as council is about to meet), the agonising reality facing the most vulnerable members of our society is that of abuse in all its forms.

This country is the rape capital of the world, according to statistics, with domestic abuse following closely behind. Mahatma Gandhi said: "A nation is judged by the manner in which it treats its animals”. I could suggest that we add to that, "and its women and children”.

It is right that Patrick Cull, in yesterday’s column rebuked us as a nation for allowing ourselves to become inured to the suffering of rape victims, to the extent that very little has been written or said regarding the rape statistics of our own land. The shameful and cowardly attack on the aspirant student in the registration queue in Tshwane should make us cringe in shame. Where, as Cull says, are the protest marches? Does it only "draw blood” and violent reaction if it happens to a family member? Where is the national outpouring of moral outrage, as is happening in India?

Heather Robertson’s fine article on domestic abuse should be read by all, and any woman who suspects that she is being abused, is referred to Robertson’s list of warning signals.

Remember, the presence of even one or two of those should ring alarm bells and send a victim to seek help. Clearly there are also men and male children, who are abused, but statistically the vast majority of victims are women, girl children and babies.

I quote Robertson’s words: "There are one too many dead women for all of us to stand back and mind our own business when we hear the screams next door, or see the bruises and scars ... ”

Bernice Wright DA councillor: Nelson Mandela Metro