government to rethink sexual violence in prisons

By Abeli Zahabu (BTM Reporter)

SOUTH AFRICA – October 24, 2007: Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) held a seminar two weeks ago at Johannesburg Civic Theatre about violence in South African prisons.

The seminar, entitled Life, Sexual Violence and HIV/AIDS in Prison, also launched two policy briefs covering the findings of a survey on male youth at Boksburg Youth Centre – which is a newly opened Maximum prison in Johannesburg.

The findings and the subsequent discussion that followed drew a particular attention on sexual violence in prison among young offenders.

“Almost 1 in 3 (31%) young men said that they had had sex (in or outside of prison) despite knowing that this person did not want to have sex with them. While further investigation is necessary into the circumstances of the sex, this suggests widespread involvement in sexual violence and coercion”.

Beyond that, the researchers noted recurrence of sexual intercourses –violent and consensual – among inmates to such an extent that they would wonder if these young men were gays.

“Five respondents admitted to having forced another inmate to have sex in prison while 17 respondents (5%) said they had tricked/manipulated or threatened another prisoner into having sex. Gang members were more likely to have done this than non-gang members”, says the research.

While this may seem strange, it's not unusual for men having sex with other men not to identify themselves with homosexuals, according to Sasha Gear, who compiled the findings.

When asked about the practice of anal sex as that compared to that of one of homosexual acts, the inmates in fact were polarised regarding their attitudes towards homosexuality. "41% say that gay people are sick, while 47% do not agree to that statement and only 12% were uncertain. This polarisation suggests confusion and intolerance on issue of homosexuality", explained Gear.

Homosexuals are forced to remain in the closet in prisons such Boksburg Youth Centre because of the recurrence of sexual violence since they would they would appear as easy and willing targets for sexual violence.

According to Kindiza Ngubeni, one of the researchers, “this has brought the Correctional Service authorities at Boksburg Youth Centre to even consider, at one stage, to separate homosexual from heterosexual inmates”.

According to the research, sexual violence in prison – as in the society as a whole – seems to be an expression of ‘manhood’ and ‘male dominance’. By hurting and violating others, the perpetrator strives to show that they’re in control and can assert themselves as ‘men’.

Sexual violence in Boksburg Youth Centre has also been seen as a means of payment for services rendered by the perpetrators to the most vulnerable and potential victims.

According to the findings, “two percent [of the respondents] stated that in Boksburg Youth Centre they had been given cigarettes, drugs, food or protection in exchange for sex. Of these eight respondents, only one had been aware that he would be expected to provide sex in return”.

The research has thus recommended that male rape and sexual violence in prisons be put on the agenda of government authorities, in order to ensure the implementation of human rights of inmates in the country’s prisons.

It was also recommended that there is a need for information and education on sexual health and sexuality, and on programmes to promote positive sexualities in prisons.