Perspectives on Contributing Factors to Rape in the Selected Areas of Mankweng, South Africa

Abstract

Rape has always been a thorny issue in out postmodern society and South Africa has been confirmed to be the rape capital of the world. Our current society has overlooked, normalised, and made rape invisible due to our societal norms relating gender and culture connotations. The objective of the study was to explore the perceptions of community members on contributing factors to rape in the selected areas of Mankweng. This qualitative study employed the ‘Qualitative’ [Q]-methodology research design, supported by the exploratory research design for the explorations of community members’ perceptions on contributing factors to rape in selected areas of Mankweng. About Thirty (30) participants were purposively selected to form part of the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The findings of this study showcased that the contributory factors to rape incidences in the Mankweng policing areas can be categorised under these Three (03) themes: 1) Structural, 2) Socio-cultural, and; 3) Economic factors. These factors increase chances of women being raped. Therefore, primary preventative interventions should be more focused on re-building women’s status in societies and implementing programmes to educate them about rape and the National government and Non-Governmental Programmes (NPOs) should aim at promoting both social and economic empowerment of young women, focusing on financing their intended projects to encourage their independency and avoid over reliance to man. The monthly programmes and awareness campaigns should be hosted to educate community members about the contributory factors to rape and related consequences thereof, as well as effective preventative measures.