The Criminological Analysis of Communal Motives on Corrective Rape in African Communities: A Case Study of Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Abstract

Corrective rape can be defined as a hate crime that entails the rape of any member of a group that does not conform to gender or sexual orientation norms, where the motive of the perpetrator is to “correct” the individual, fundamentally combining gender-based violence and homophobic violence. In South Africa, this type of discriminatory act is more common in rural townships, where women have less independence, education and support systems in place. It is estimated that at least 500 lesbians yearly are victims of corrective rape in South Africa; however, these statistics stand to be inaccurate as societal homophobia keeps many from reporting the crime. This study was completed to ascertain the role of communal motives in corrective rape in African communities, studying the community of Pietermaritzburg which is a city situated in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN). A qualitative study was adopted which aimed to analyse and establish the communal motives of African communities in normalizing the practice of corrective rape as a cure to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals. The study took place in the gay–lesbian network centre in Pietermaritzburg where data were gathered from the LGBTIAQ community. The objectives of the study were to assess the nature of the crime, to assess the influence of culture on the normalization of corrective rape as a cure for same-sex sexual attractions, to determine the effects of corrective rape on the LGBTI community, to establish the causes of corrective rape in the community and to determine if the rural community is enlightened about the rights of the LGBTIAQ community. The study also makes use of theoretical framework, including the victim precipitation theory, lifestyle exposure theory and social learning theory to explain and argue the research problem.