Male rape in Zimbabwe! The lived experiences of male survivors: The case of Adult Rape Clinic at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare.

Abstract

This study analysed the lived experiences of male survivors of sexual violence perpetrated by women in Zimbabwe. It focused on the lived experiences of the adult male survivors who fall prey to female rapists. There are still beliefs that adult men cannot be raped by women. They are seen as the dominant players in the masculine field and therefore considered as perpetrators rather than survivors. Based on this background, to gather all the required data, qualitative method was used. These included perusal of newspaper articles and Adult Rape Clinic’s records, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The key findings of this research demonstrated that male rape is common and a reality. Male survivors were raped after they were drugged with unknown substance. The male survivors were sprayed in the face, injected, drinks and water spiked and food ingestion and these unknown substances that were used facilitated for a strong erection against male survivors’ will but at the same time powerless to defend themselves from being raped. Also the drugs enabled the male survivors to ejaculate more than usual allowing the female rapists to harvest the ejaculated fluid. Meanwhile, men are socialised to be strong and to stand for themselves, protect themselves and also to protect women. Therefore, when a man is raped by a woman it is difficult for the male survivors to speak out hence the crime is not considered serious and it is hidden. Rape myths as postulated by feminism hinders the male survivors to speak out likewise female survivors and this inhibits the male survivors to look for the necessary support needed when they are sexually assaulted especially by women.. The study findings also confirmed that male rape by women is very possible. Recommendations were made on educating people especially men not to trust women anymore and also to speak out such that this type of crime is given much consideration in courts and in the society. It was also recommended that the police should work hard in bringing these female rapists to book.