"Steve Hayes" <hayesmstw@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:40f75872.227197936@news.saix.net...

We know that it happens here. It is also highly unlikely that any sort of
worthwhile statistical study can be achieved. Firstly, all cases would have
to be reported and I would doubt that any such possibility exists. Secondly,
if such a study was possible and it became evident that the numbers involved
were large, our Government would make sure that no final report was ever
published because it would be too embarrassing.

Nevertheless, the anecdotal evidence, supported by a number of cases which
have come before the courts - I think that the case a little while ago in
the Northern Province caused a measure of concern - which indicates that the
practice is being adopted and that it still continues.

I think that the new laws which the concerned persons in Zambia are
suggesting have to do with the question of bail and the need to define child
rape separately from the general understanding of the term.

Mark Richardson

"Steve Hayes" <hayesmstw@hotmail.com> wrote in message

Application of social regulatory law, such as that which covers sexual
assault, tends to be based on what society, particularly conservative
society, thinks and believes.

Accordingly I have long believed that "rape" should be removed from the list
of crimes and replaced with "sexual assault". Same thing, different
connotations. There are people, probably women as well as men, who believe
that a woman who dresses attractively, or perhaps "provocatively" is
"asking" to be raped. If this were rephrased as "sexually assaulted" one
might have fewer people believing such drivel.

Although whether this would be a deterrent for children I don't know. I was
in a shop at the Oriental Plaza the other day when a small child was
misbehaving. The mother told the child to stop. The child continued. The
father threatened the child with a hiding. The child continued. The father
duly administered the hiding. I approved. I know many other people would
not have on the grounds that one should not abuse a child and that physical
and sexual and emotional abuse are all just forms of abuse.

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:37:46 +0200, "Moira de Swardt" <firstnameds@wol.co.za>
wrote:

There are laws against sexual assault too.

It still doesn't need legislation. It needs application.

Calls for laws to make a criminal offence into a criminal offence is a
political smokescreen, which goes along with the penchant of politicians to
"address issues" instead of solving problems.

If, instead of "putting initiatives in place" some politicians, especially
cabinet ministers responsible for the criminal justice system actually took
the initiatives in getting their suborninates to do something, it could help.

The question is, was the father acting under the advice of a sangoma that that
would cure Aids?


But our politicians believe they can sole the problem of the high crime rate
by passing a law to declare that crime is a criminal offence.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

One myth creates another myth and yet more horror.

When will the madness end?