Anti-Rape Project: a Partnership with Churches

The project is headquartered in the police offices located at Vhembe, Limpop, under the enthusiastic tutalidge of Captain T. W. Mutepe.  The vibrant educational campaign has already begun to make headway against the perpetration of rape by handing out some 12,000 Safety Hints Against Rape pamphlets along with other anti-rape materials.  These materials also speak about related sexual violence, such as of domestic violence and child abuse awarness.  Such material contributing to an increase of public consciousness have not only decreased the amount of rapes per year in the area, but has also allowed victims of domestic violence to come forward without fear of reprisal. 

Church leaders in the area have been an integral part of the successes of the programme which not only addresses rape, but child abuse, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse.  A core group of 50 members composed from different churches in the area, such as the United Apostolic Church, the Independent Pentecostal Church and Zion Christian Church expressed great interest in participating. This eventually lead to the creation of Sunday School and community outreach programmes that have reached 57,000 people to date. Church leaders are making it a point to speak about rape in their sermons, and the dangers associated with it and other negative social trends. This has created an apparent sense of moral regeneration that encourages strong family values and individual accountability.  

The project is not expensive, and as a result has allowed for extensive social engagement.  Venues and food were provided by the Churches, while handouts and pamphlets were provided by the Provincial Health authorities.  That so many people have been reached for a cost to the police of only R15,000 is a testament to the organizational strength of the police department and churches involved.

Innovation

A platform using the police to enforce and the church to teach can only be described as powerful in term of creating social trends.  Utilizing a captive, influential audience church leaders are able to bring a message of anti-rape to the community using their facilities, which includes enthusiastic people from their congregation willing to volunteer, to spread the message of a government organized anti-rape and anti-violence campaign.  This reduces the cost to both parties by sharing the burden of garnering social capital.

Effectiveness:

Community members have increased their use of the South African Police Service's Victum and empowerment Trauma Centres, and the resulting "jump" in the number of reported cases of domestic violence per year shows a willingness to engage with the police.  Also, a decline in the amount rape cases reported every year is another sign that the moral aspect of the project is taking root.  

Poverty Impact

 While the benefits of moral action are not traditionally measurable, it is envisaged that over time behaviour patterns will change resulting in positive affects to the quality of life for impoverished people, especially women.  

Sustainability

Most costs are taken up by the Churches, who have an on-going commitment to making the project succeed. The Police and the provincial authorities seem equally committed to making a success of the venture. To date this outreach has cost the police organizers R15,000. Their assessment of the lifespan of the project is “continuous”.

Partnerships

• South African Police Services
• Zion Christian Church
• United Apostolic Church
• NG Kerk Dutch Reformed Church
• The Independent Pentecostal Church
• the Angelican Church
• Limpopo Provincial Government