Why do men rape? Gender-based violence documentary premiere

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While the stories of women survivors of rape have often been told, few attempts have been made to understand the men who rape

But while the stories of women survivors of rape have often been told, few attempts have been made to understand the men who rape. Who are they and why do they do it?

“Umhlola” (Unspeakable) focuses on two former rapists, while also featuring the story of Sixolile Mbalo, who was raped as a teenager, as a reminder of the physical and psychological effects of rape.

It also looks at attempts by various organisations to rehabilitate rapists and to challenge the views held by men that enable them to rape.

Featured as part of the country’s observation of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence against women, “Umhlola” aims to stimulate discussion about what should be done to rehabilitate men to prevent rape.

As Dr Sikweyiya from the Medical Research Council says: “Interventions must be for both men and women because the mistake we made was that sexual violence is done to women, and interventions were also assisting women, neglecting the people who commit sexual violence, which is mostly men here in South Africa.”

The documentary is produced by Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking and Health-e News Service.

Broadcast Date: Thursday 11 December on SABC 1’s Cutting Edge at 9.30pm