Knowledge of post-rape procedures and guidelines among first-year female resident students at the University of the Free State

Abstract

To the Editor : Rape is a serious violent crime. In South Africa in 1994, 44 751 rape cases were reported to the police, increasing to 54 926 in 2006. Of the rape victims in South Africa, a third are young girls. Investigations strongly emphasise the importance of rape educational programmes. Our investigation was conducted before the amendment of Act 32 of 2007 regarding the legal definition of rape and related sexual offences was accepted and implemented. We aimed to determine the knowledge of post-rape procedures and guidelines among first-year female students living in a residence on campus at the University of the Free State (UFS), and how/where this information was acquired; evaluate the efficiency of existing educational campaigns and programmes; and, if necessary, outline new programmes that could be implemented. Our study showed that the distribution of existing rape guidelines is inefficient. Respondents felt strongly that insufficient post-rape guidelines were available, and were eager to obtain adequate information. Since our sample consisted mainly of students who had recently matriculated, we concluded that precise post-rape guidelines should be addressed at school level.