A voice for the younger victims of sexual violence

South Africa has the highest rape rate in the world.(1) Children under the age of 12 are especially likely to be raped by someone known to them, with relatives, friends and neighbours perpetrating 84% of rapes reported in this age category.(2) April marks world Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). To promote awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse, anatomically correct ‘Show and Tell’ dolls have been designed and created by Mpumalanga based Pair Bear Project, a Non-Profit Company focused on upliftment projects in the sewing and tailoring sector in South Africa.

“Many sexual assault victims are too young to comprehend what has happened to them and cannot describe the event using words and language that adults understand,” says Christi Jackson, Director of The Pair Bear Project. Sadly, children frequently get sexually assaulted by grooming methods (when a child is sexually abused from a young age and grows up thinking that this is normal behaviour).

“Our dolls help young survivors explain what has happened to them in a non-threatening way. Child witnesses often testify using age-appropriate terms for sexual conduct. With anatomically correct dolls, it enables a witness to demonstrate what sexual and physical abuse they witnessed,” she adds.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about sexual violence worldwide and educate communities on preventing it. Sexual assault is an umbrella term and includes rape, unwanted sexual contact of any other form and sexual harassment.

“Our dolls have been created to be anatomically correct, making identification of genital organs easy for younger survivors,” explains Jackson. The dolls come fully equipped with vaginal and anal openings, penis, testicles and breasts. The mouth is also made so that the children can use the doll’s tongue in demonstrations.

“It is sad that we need such a product; however, unfortunately, it is an essential one,” says Jackson. “This product could help child psychologists, Play Therapists, rape and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) NPOs, and social workers communicate more effectively with young survivors of sexual assault,” she adds.

“After being commissioned to make the dolls, we realised no such product exists in South Africa. We are hoping that we can fill this gap with a product that can truly help the young victims,” says Jackson. “Should we receive funding for our project, we can donate these dolls to NPO’s that deal with GBV, as well as rape, and social care workers in poorer communities,” she adds.

The dolls are hand-crafted and produced by local seamstresses. They come fully clothed with panties/underpants, bras, decorative clothing and shoes, and their faces are hand-painted. Every doll is unique and can be purchased with extra clothing and in families. The family consists of a boy and girl, mom and dad, and granny and grandpa.

Although Pair Bear Project is still in its start-up phase, they employ local seamstresses and tailors throughout South Africa.

This media release has been issued by cause marketing agency, Twin Archer Communications.

For more information, to apply to become a seamstress/tailor or for any donations that you would like to make, you can contact Christi directly at hello@pairbearproject.co.za | (081) 413 1295 or visit the website www.pairbearproject.co.za.

References:
1. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/rape-statistics-by-country
2. L Vetten et al., Tracking justice: the attrition of rape cases through the criminal justice system in Gauteng, Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre, South African Medical Research Council and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2008.

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