International Medical Charity Calls Rape "Silent Epidemic"

In a report on sexual violence timed to coincide with International Women's Day, Doctors Without Borders (DWB) said more rape awareness campaigns are needed to combat social taboos and discourage the ongoing epidemic of sexual violence.

The charity's report focused on its work in five countries: Burundi, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and South Africa. Worldwide, DWB said its staff treated more than 12,000 rape cases in 2007, approximately 35 cases each day.

"We feel that we need to speak out because our numbers are not going down," said DWB's Meini Nicolai. "And we want the rest of the world to know what is happening and [know] all the medical, psychological, and social after-effects of sexual violence on the victim, or survivor, and the context in which they actually live."

Nicolai said victims of sexual violence should be treated within three days of their attack. "The 72-hour period is mostly focused on HIV. But at the same time before people even get tested for HIV or get [preventive] medication for that, we first do counseling," she said. Timely counseling is essential, she said, "because people live with long-term psychological after-effects after a rape."

DWB conducts education campaigns in schools, churches, and social gathering spots near its centers so people know to seek help quickly, said Nicolai. The charity also helps survivors deal with the legal system if they choose to report the crime.

Nicolai noted that some 6 percent of rape victims are male, mostly boys. However, many males do not seek services due to social stigmas -- another area that needs more attention, she said.

Back to other news for March 2009