Action Society called on real men and law abiding citizens of the community from Parow and Bonteheuwel to show up at the Bishop Lavis court on Thursday 7 September to support the deaf 30-year-old survivor of a brutal gang-rape incident that took place in December 2022.
Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm tells the story: “We named her *Lily in order to protect her identity. She is the survivor of a harrowing four hour long gang rape in December 2022. She was standing outside her house to take a smoke when she was attacked from behind and knocked unconscious. She woke up into a nightmare. She was in a bathroom being raped by two men. There was at least one more perpetrator and they took turns raping her for four hours. Eventually, she managed to escape from the house, half naked. She fled into another house nearby and hid under a table, terrified. Thankfully the people there looked after her and returned her home. The incident was reported at the Bonteheuwel satellite police station and then referred to the Bishop Lavis police station.”
According to Palm, the nightmare isn’t over yet. “Since the attack three suspects aged 18, 22 and 23 were arrested, but two were released on bail. Lily had to leave the area for her own safety after one of the rapists came too close to her house – so much so, that they had to call the police.”
Ian Cameron, Director of Community Safety at Action Society called on all the real men and law abiding citizens in the area to show up for Lily at the next court appearance on 7 September. “I say shame on every man who had a hand in raising the perpetrators of this crime. What they did is sickening. How dare you show your face and excuse what they did? Real men don’t just teach their sons how to respect women. They model it. Real men don’t work to spend their money on alcohol and drugs, they work to build a better future for their kids. Real men serve their families and will give their lives to protect them. They also take responsibility to look out for the protection of every woman and child, every elderly person or persons with disabilities in their community.”
Palm invited the community to come to court and help shield Lily and her family from those who would intimidate and insult her. “Let’s show up and speak up.”
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