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Ellen Chasokela Herald Reporter
The Adult Rape Clinic has launched the Denim Day to commemorate sexual assault awareness month and raise awareness on post rape issues. The clinic’s outreach and awareness team coordinator Mrs Florida Mapeto said April is the Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

She said they will be raising public awareness on sexual assault and educating communities and individuals on rape issues.
“We launched Denim Day as a commemoration of sexual assault and rape as April is the month of sexual assault awareness,” she said. “As a rape clinic we looked for something that we can use to make people aware of gender based violence and sexual assault especially rape because that’s what we do here.

“There is a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding rape issues in societies and communities because people do not believe that it can happen to them until it does. Rape is one of the under-reported crimes because of the stigma, fear and shame surrounding it.

“We are really trying as an organisation to push that message forward, help people to appreciate that rape exists and that there is help for survivors. We want to ensure that next time someone comes to you and say l was raped you are more sensitised, empathetic and able to help them.”

ARC clinic manager Mrs Rudo Mashingaidze urged rape victims to report and get medical facilities.
“Let not judge rape victims, but instead help them to file a report,” she said. “After reporting, one gets psychosocial support, counselling, medical examinations and post exposure prophylaxis. Most people define rape as unlawful sexual intercourse or any other sexual penetration, yet it is not confined to women only because men can also be raped by women. Most men do not report because of public opinion and they shy away.’’

Mrs Mashingaidze commended organisations involved in rape and sexual assault awareness campaigns as more people are now coming up to report.