Police in Diepsloot, South Africa are on the hunt for a group of three women who allegedly raped a 21 year-old man on Sunday night, This Is Africa news agency reported.
According to Diepsloot police spokesman, the suspects lured the victim by pretending to ask for directions after which he was raped at gunpoint.
Cases of male rape in the country are becoming more common than most people would think.
“People don’t see a man being raped as a serious problem, even though it causes immense damage,” said Martin Pelders who is the founder and spokesperson of male survivor group, Matrix Men.
“Due to social pressures and the myths which surround sexually abused men, men are reluctant and embarrassed to seek help,” added Pelders.
“The victim was forced to have sexual intercourse with her at gunpoint. Afterwards, the victim was left on the side of the road,” Mavimbela said.
He added that police were appealing to the public to be cautious when approached by strangers, men or women.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of the rapists is requested to contact Lieutenant-Colonel Lucia Madinginye on 082 568 4589, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or send an anonymous SMS to Crime Line at 32211.
Earlier this month, a woman was arrested for allegedly raping a man in Bolobedu, Limpopo.
The 46-year-old woman raped the younger man after asking him to do some chores for her when he walked past her house.
According to reports, the woman lured him into the house, locked the door, undressed him and raped him throughout the night.
A male rape survivor group – Matrix Men – has said this type of incident was becoming more common than people would imagine.
According to the organisation’s founder and spokesman, Martin Pelders, the problem with these incidents was that “people don’t see a man being raped as a serious problem, even though it causes immense damage”.
He added that male rape survivors would rarely report such a case.
“Due to social pressures and the myths which surround sexually abused men, men are reluctant and embarrassed to seek help.
“There are men who have been in therapy for years and have still never told their therapists that they were abused. This shows you the deep level of shame attached to being a survivor of sexual abuse,” Pelders pointed out.
“Most men don’t realise the impact that abuse has on their lives, and it is only through discussing it with other survivors that they begin to understand what the impact and effects are on their lives,” he added.
