Times Of Swaziland: BE NEITHER VICTIM NOR PERPETRATOR THIS FESTIVE

BE NEITHER VICTIM NOR PERPETRATOR THIS FESTIVE
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Editor on 29/11/2024 09:05:00


Sir,
Holidays are the best time to enjoy and make remarkable memories with our
families, friends, spouses and loved ones, again they can be filled with fear,
sorrow, regrets and potentially further harm, so they require an individual to
be highly responsible and aware of their when and whereabouts. The chances and
opportunities given to everyone should be utilised effectively, as a way of
appraisal and reward to oneself for all that had happened throughout the year
and as a way for a fresh start for the upcoming year. A majority of emaSwati get
to travel all the different four regions of Eswatini through road trips, family
trips, attending friends’ parties, wedding and lobola invitations and all the
likes.
Priority
These are all forms of enjoyment, as a priority it is essential for one not to
lose herself/himself all in the name of enjoyment, which can have detrimental
outcomes at the end of it all. It calls for consideration that in all these
events we get to meet people with different personalities, even though they are
friends and family, which is an alarming factor and requires for high level of
cautiousness.
Many cases will be brought forward, adding to the statistics recorded in the
month of July of about 101 rape cases, of those who became victims of sexual
violence either through sexual assault, harassment or rape by REPS (2024).
Sexual assault being the attempted or rather completed touching of another
person’s butt, genitals, breast or groin through direct touching or voyeurism,
it goes with exposing someone to pornography or taking images of the victim in a
private context and make them go viral without their consent.
With rape being forced sexual intercourse by a body part or object, usually the
victim is threatened and incapable of giving consent due to impaired mental
status, level of consciousness or under-age to give a consent. Rape can be
acquainted, involving a friend, family member,  neighbour, date or acquaintance
and these kind of rape is less likely to be reported since it is more
relationship, so victims may fear retaliation from the assailant and harassment
from friends or family members. If there is a relationship, then trust is
violated.
Women
As women are most likely to be reported as the victims, do not hesitate coming
forward to report that assault, or rape due to fear of harassment or
retaliation, come forward and help others. You might be the first to take the
courage only to find that you have helped many who were assaulted by the same
perpetrator. Prioritise knowing your surroundings, go with trusted friends. If
your gut tells you otherwise, avoid those places, get yourself a pillow and
comfortable throw and take a nap, after all you are not losing anything, rest
and sleep is healthier Avoid being in situations where you feel pressured.
Tips for men
Women are not sex objects, or deserve to be raped because of the way they dress;
‘she dresses provocatively to seduce us’ as some men say. Have some dignity,
value your manhood and reputation it does not end in just being a man by title,
it also goes with the character. Be a man in character, protect yourself in
character, seeing does not mean you should taste or have it, that is lack of
discipline and self-control, rather protect her, women are vulnerable and
created to be beautiful and beautify the earth by nature, do not take advantage,
do not be a coward. Just like flowers they are attractive, you can never say to
a flower it is naked but that is it own beauty just like women they dress not to
seduce but worldwide that how they are. As a man know your value and know your
flower, treasure it. Do not ruin your own reputation, remember you are a man and
born to be a leader, portray the character of leadership.
This is a call for all, let us be safe and happy as we wrap up this 2024.
Together we can stop sexual violence.
Tebe