Emotionally scarred
Michelle begs Siya to report his rape to the police but he fears that he will be judged instead of helped.
Suidooster Weekdays kykNET (*144) 18:30
On Wednesday 9 May, pharmacy student Michelle (Greta Pietersen) is left reeling when she tries to come to terms with what her doctor boyfriend Siya (Gantane Kusch) told her the previous day: he was raped when they were attacked in his flat in April. The rape happened when the two robbers took Siya to the ATM and Greta says that “it’s heartbreaking news for Michelle. She knew that he was hiding something but never thought it to be rape”. But Michelle feels that Siya needs to deal with what had happened and on Thursday 10 May, she begs him to report his rape to the police. But being stubborn, Siya refuses and prefers to sweep the entire story under the rug. Could he be afraid of what people will think of him for his attack?
KEEP IT TO YOURSELF
With Siya being a doctor, he is fully aware of how to deal with patients who need treatment and psychological help, but he’s having a hard time trying to heal himself, something he shouldn’t be doing alone. Gantane explains that Siya is emotionally scarred and traumatised: “He believes that the police will laugh at him and won’t support him because there’s a stigma that surrounds men who are raped and it’s taboo.” On Friday 11 May, Siya’s friend Ty (Maurice Paige), who knows about his rape, asks for help with his court case. “Ty saw a man in the Suidooster Centre wearing the watch that Michelle gave Siya and that was stolen during the attack. Ty took it back by force and the man then opened a case of theft against Ty,” explains Gantane. “Ty hopes that with Siya’s testimony, he will avoid jail time. But that means Siya will have to talk about his rape and that’s something he simply isn’t willing to do at this stage.”
ON THE RECOVERY ROAD
After doing some soul searching, Siya realises on Tuesday 15 May that he has let his best friend Ty down. Ty was given a fine by the judge instead of being sentence to jail time and “Siya apologises to Ty and offers to pay his fine,” says Gantane. That change of heart sees Siya make a braver decision later that week on Friday 18 May when he reports his rape to the police. With Michelle in tow, he makes his statement and considers going for counselling. Now all that’s left to do is wait for the police to catch Siya’s attackers. By that time, he should be strong enough to relive his rape ordeal.