Men, boys increasingly raped by women and other men
Men are increasingly being raped by other men due to the change in culture and new trends in lifestyles.
Wiseman Lopang Gorewang, a Gender Based Violence (GBV) activist and counsellor, has assisted some men who needed counselling after terrible ordeals.
He found out that most victims are invited by their male friends to parties or events where they will be drugged unaware only to find out that they have been raped the next day when they wake up.
According to Gorewang, the most painful thing is failure to report such cases for fear that one will be victimised.
“Sometimes the perpetrators are powerful people in the community, whom they are afraid of reporting,” Gorewang noted.
Some young boys are also raped or sexually abused by older women while other women turn these young boys into sex toys in exchange for gifts or money.
Gorewang said some women also use drugs to take advantage and rape men. He urged members of the public to be vigilant and take care of themselves wherever they go, and avoid trusting everyone, especially strangers, even though one can be used by people within their close circle of friends.
He encouraged men to come out and report such cases before this problem escalates.
Meanwhile, Men and Boys for Gender Equality Organisation Team Leader, Desmond Lunga said rape is having sexual penetration with another person without their consent.
Lunga’s organisation has received reports of men seeking counselling after they were allegedly drugged at a party by other people or got drunk and fell asleep only to wake up in the morning and realise that something bad had happened to them.
Lunga said they receive two to three reports every month and this is worrisome. He said reporting also help in victims accessing services in hospitals where they would be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, among others.