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Disgust at rape of mentally disabled girl
News reports regarding a 17-year old teenage girl with mental disability from Soweto, who was gang raped by 7 suspects ranging between the ages of 14-36 years, are extremely disturbing.
This unthinkable act of violence and crime highlights the extent to which persons with mental disability are being mistreated and sometimes exploited in this country.
The fact that the rape was captured on video and the 10 minute clip was distributed, is even more unsettling. Our National Director, Mrs Bharti Pate,l said: “This vicious attack on an innocent young woman causes us to once again question the true state of wellness of society as a whole. It is also a serious lack of values within society that allows an incident such as this to occur.”
As signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability as well as through the South African Bill of Rights and Mental Health Care Act, the Government is duty bound to ensure that justice is served in this case and all similar reported cases.
We therefore appeal to the NPA, the SAPS and everyone involved, to do their utmost to ensure that this young girl's right to access to justice is honoured and that her attackers receive a suitable punishment for the crime.
The human rights of persons with disabilities have been on the agenda for serious discussion over the recent years since many violations – for example as in the case of this young girl - are still being reported nationally.
We urge parents, youngsters and all members of society to discuss matters like these with their families and to share their feelings and opinions. Our youth needs to be educated and understand the unspeakable damage (both physically and psychologically) which victims of such crimes may suffer for the rest of their lives.
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The World Down Syndrome Congress takes place in Cape Town from 15-17 August, with a pre-congress session for adults with Down Syndrome on 14 August.
Support the AuSOMEtism Cycle Tour
On 2 April, cyclists Pieter Kleyhans and Shaun Murphy begin their 2256km journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town to raise funds for Autism awareness and The Key School.
Housing, employment & human rights
These are the focus of this year's Intellectual Disability Month which takes place in March. Many human rights violations are brought to our attention and we are determined to act.
