South African Lesbians Being Gang Raped And Killed In Increasing Numbers

User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 

Posted by Administrator in Forign Policy on December 17, 2009  |  0 Comments More from this author  |

South African women who choose not to remain in the closet as lesbians are being gang raped. Stories of women who have come out being gang raped to "correct" their behavior and even murder are growing at alarming numbers.

Human rights leaders say men are committing these acts in an attempt to "cure" women of their sexuality and are called "corrective rape." Women and girls are living in fear of being dragged off the streets by groups of men to be gang raped or worst.

One of the more shocking stories that gained headlines is that of Eudy Simelane a lesbian equal rights activist, who was also a member of the famed South Africa's Banyana Banyana national female football squad. Her body was found in a creek outside of Johannesburg, reportedly she had been gang-raped, beaten and stabbed 25 times.

In published reports women give accounts of being threatened with rape for being lesbian and living an open lifestyle.

Research released last year by Triangle, a leading South African gay rights organization, revealed that 86 percent of black lesbians from the Western Cape said they lived in fear of sexual assault.

Furthermore law enforcement in South Africa appears to not be taking these threats or the actions of the rapists seriously. Police are hesitant to investigate hate crimes directed towards lesbians. In Sky News report Funeka Solidaat, says police ridiculed and humiliated her when she tried to file a report.

Read more: All Headline News