Report rape immediately – not 25 years later
I DO not condone the act of rape, but what I do object to is that grown-up adults choose to report the perpetrator so many years later.
I take my cue from when I was a little boy. When we as children did something wrong during the day, my mother would report us to my father the same evening when he got home from work, telling him of the wrong we had done, and expecting him to chastise us or give us a hiding.
He would respond by telling her that she could not expect him to take action at that stage. He would ask why she had not taken action at the time of the offence, as by now the child had forgotten what he had done.
I feel the same scenario should be applied in these late-reported rape stories. Why do the so-called victims not report it immediately after the deed is done and is still fresh and can be investigated right away?
I can understand this happening to children, who are afraid in fear of repercussions and/or embarrassment – but an adult, no way.
Recently the media is saturated with cases of rape, all of which happened years ago. Two very prominent sports administrators are in the midst of these late-reported cases, in the codes of tennis and soccer, as well as a famous stand-up comedian that appeared on our TV screens years ago.
I have already been asked, “what if it is your daughter?” – which I take serious heed of.
I have three daughters and we constantly teach them to immediately report any incidences of inappropriate touching by anybody, be it family or not, and not to be scared or worry about the consequences.
My question is, why wait so many years to report it?
Do not consider the perpetrator’s status, whatever it is, as you the victim will be walking around for the rest of your life affected by this, and perhaps wondering whether your husband will believe you one day when you have to reveal it to him.
Don’t pull back. Report the incident immediately.
You will be considered the better and braver person.
Noel Julius, Gelvan Park, Port Elizabeth