Johannesburg - The brutality and violent nature of sexual assaults across the country is a matter of serious concern, Cosatu said on Thursday.
“The violent nature of our society is of great concern... this is not only about rape, but the brutality and extreme violence that accompanies the crime,” Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said.
He was speaking at a meeting in Johannesburg of non-governmental bodies, religious groups, and Cosatu. They met to devise a programme of action against rape and violence.
The organisations included Section27, SonkeBonke Gender Justice, and Doctors Without Borders.
Vavi said something had to be done about the culture of violence in South African society.
A survey by the trade union federation revealed that workers believed they got a favourable response from employers if they “add a bit of violence”.
“I suspect that there is not much difference between the violent nature of rapes and the violence that accompany strikes and service delivery protests.”
He appealed to the organisations to fight rape and violence with one voice. - Sapa