A rape every 2.5 hours
KUALA LUMPUR: Every two-and-a-half hours, there is a woman somewhere in the country that gets raped, according to the Federal police's sexual crimes and child abuse investigations division's figures.
In the latest sex crime statistics provided exclusively to The Malay Mail, we learnt an average of 10 women become victims of rape everyday.
It works out to an average of a woman raped once every two-and-a-half hours.
From 2006, the number of rape cases has been steadily escalating from 2,431 to 3,098 in 2007, 3,409 in 2008 and 3,626 in 2009. Last year, however, the number dropped slightly to 3,595 cases.
"Despite the decrease last year, the statistics are still worrying," said the division's deputy director, ACP Hamidah Yunus.
While it is shocking to learn from the figures that the majority or 73 per cent of rape victims are girls under 18 years, a more disturbing fact is that there are way more suspects than there are victims.
"This is because in some of the reports we received, the case would involve more than one suspect," said Hamidah.
In the last five years, 20,255 rape suspects above 18 years old were identified in 16,159 reported cases, making them the majority in comparison to the 3,061 juvenile suspects.
As for the perfect crime scene, it was learnt that most often rape crimes would take place in houses.
"Suspects or perpetrators are usually known to the victims, which explains why rapes often happen in homes, be it the victim's or the suspect's," said Hamidah.
The past five years' records show 11,064 rape incidents took place in residences, 2,900 in public places, 1,362 in hotels and budget hotels, 580 in vehicles and 252 case in "unknown places".
The statistics also revealed worrying figures for crimes of molest, incest, sodomy and domestic violence.
In 2006, the number of domestic violence cases reported were 3,264. It went up to 3,756 in 2007 and 3,769 in 2008, before dropping to 3,643 in 2009 and 3,173 last year.
For molest cases, 1,972 cases were reported in 2006, 2,243 (2007), 2,131 (2008), 2,110 (2009) and 2,054 last year.
For incest, the total reported cases in 2006 were 332, 359 in 2007, 334 (2008), 385 (2009) and 413 incidents throughout last year.
For sodomy, the year 2006 reported 180 cases, 231 in 2007, 243 in 2008, a slight drop in 2009 to 227 cases and a further decrease to 218 cases last year.
Re-enacting rape
KUALA LUMPUR: Only so much of rape cases would get to see the light of day in court.
It is a sad scenario, and Bukit Aman sexual crimes and child abuse investigations division deputy director ACP Hamidah Yunus attributed this to several factors.
"Firstly, the public does not always come forward with the information that we need. The apathy of the public to report such cases is also not helping," she said.
At other times, it would be the victims themselves who are not able to help the authorities much.
"Some could not identify their offenders or find it extremely difficult to express themselves in describing their perpetrators." said Hamidah.
"When evidence is insufficient, it would be tough to prosecute, much less convict, a suspect."
To carry out more effective investigations, the police have recently opted for a more sensitive method in trying to get the victims to open up by re-enacting the incident.
"Many are afraid to tell how the incident happened. Victims don't like to talk about their rape experience," she said.
"The re-enactment method does improve things. Even if the victims don't explain the incident vocally, they do acknowledge by agreeing or disagreeing with what they see in the re-enactment process. This is when the police get to record their take on the incident."
Previously, some of the techniques known to be used by police in handling rape victims included video recording of the victim's statement as well as assigning psychologists or cousellors to give emotional support.
It is understood that while the conventional video-recording helps in nailing the suspect for prosecution as it is solid evidence, it puts victims in the spotlight and they may not want to disclose much on their trauma.
With those under 18 years being more prone to rape, Hamidah said it is especially important for teenagers to be aware of the situation.
She said even though the sex may be consensual, but because of the girl's age, it is still considered statutory rape.
"This is the law. If you are 16 and below, it is statutory rape whether or not the girl said 'yes'.
"Parents should also educate sons to respect the opposite sex and not take advantage of them."
No comments:
Post a Comment