Durban - The prevalence of rape in KwaZulu-Natal is alarming, community safety MEC Willies Mchunu said on Thursday.
“Incidents of rape are at an alarming stage,” Mchunu said in a statement.
“It is unacceptable that women and children are victimised in this manner.”
Crime statistics for 2011/2012 indicated that 12,288 sexual crimes had been recorded in the province.
“The moral fibre in our society has seriously deteriorated,” Mchunu said.
The trauma experienced by rape survivors could potentially lead to “lasting mental disruptions”, he said.
Mchunu commended the police for their work in apprehending rape suspects, and appealed to residents to “be bold enough to report cases to the police, irrespective of who is involved”.
There has been public outcry about sexual violence in the wake of the rape and murder of Bredasdorp teenager Anene Booysen.
Booysen, 17, was found injured at a construction site on the morning of February 2, and died in hospital that night. - Sapa