At South Africa’s Rhodes University more than 2,000 students turned out on a silent protest in a show of solidarity with victims of rape assaults. Students marched through the Eastern Cape university campus with their mouths taped shut to draw attention to the many rapes going unreported. Other than physically present for the protest; ten of thousand joined the protest on Twitter trending #RUSilent, with some tweeting their own experiences of rape and others weighing in with supportive comments. South Africa has reportedly among the highest sex crime rates in the world, including child and baby rape, with aid organizations estimating that one rape is committed every 26 seconds.
She pulled her watch to the side and had “thank you” written on her wrist. She taped herself because she is still silent. #RUSilent
— Michelle Solomon (@mishsolomon) March 23, 2012
The protesters assembled on Friday morning wearing purple t-shirts reading “Sexual Violence = Silence”.
Sexual Violence = Silence #RUsilent lockerz.com/s/195022967
— Josh Jordaan (@joshjordaan) March 23, 2012
Rhodes University silent protest against sexual violence #RUsilent lockerz.com/s/195023762
— Josh Jordaan (@joshjordaan) March 23, 2012
Protesters marched through the campus with their mouths taped.
“Stop the silence – Stop the violence” march. #RUsilent lockerz.com/s/195025617
— Josh Jordaan (@joshjordaan) March 23, 2012
A sea of purple hope ♥ #RUSilent twitter.com/Lin_dz/status/…
— Lindsay Purdon (@Lin_dz) March 23, 2012
In a unique way of silent demonstration they staged a ‘die-in’ to honour those who were killed as a result of sexual violence.
A representation of the living deaths faced by many victims of sexual violence. #RUsilent twitter.com/MsFaiza/status…
— Faiza Mallick (@MsFaiza) March 23, 2012
In no time #RUSilent was trending heavily in South Africa.
Survivors of rape assault shared their stories which emotionally moved many causing a deep impact on their heart and mind.
Survivors sharing their stories is the most difficult part of the protest. Not fasting or silence. It’s when rape becomes real #rusilent
— SaritaPillayGonzalez (@seriouslysarita) March 23, 2012
#RUSilent protest has been amazing. it’s also flushed some fucking strange ideas about rape out of the woodwork. poverty&lust = rape? FFS
— thea potgieter (@soyacappuccino) March 23, 2012
Breaking the silence was amazing. Some women are so strong. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it has been for them #RUSilent
— Kawela Kiki (@KawelaKiki) March 23, 2012
Where have we woman failed, cos these men are the children we gave birth 2, who are raping our communities…#rusilent
— Nondumiso Mbambo (@Nomzeeeee) March 23, 2012
Haven’t slept for 20 hours and 37 minutes. All in the name of #RUsilent. So worth it.
— Stuart Lewis (@thembi_lewis) March 23, 2012
Not just the fairer sex, even men joined the protest in solidarity.
#RUSilent Lastly, I think women attract abuse upon themselves. Don’t be such pussies… Clip his cock off why wait?
— Karabo Zacharia (@KaraboZacharia) March 23, 2012
“My vagina’s my choice!” @RUSilent #RUSilent even the boys are chanting along! Rhodes: where leaders unite!
— Kendra Dykman (@Kendy13) March 23, 2012
Students across South Africa congratulated Rhodes University for their amazing effort and hoped to organize such protests in their university as well.
What a great cause hope my university joins in with rhodes next year
#RUSilent
— Nicole(@nicky_bee7) March 23, 2012
Feeling very blessed to be part of the 1 in 9 movement and very proud to be a Rhodent! #RUsilent
— Alia Jenkins (@alia_anne) March 23, 2012
In the office of online journal Coup, employees taped over their mouths to stage their own-mini protest.
In Joburg we are screaming silent support for all survivors today. Here’s me. #RUsilent twitter.com/libbysighs/sta…
— Libby Allen (@libbysighs) March 23, 2012
They broke the silence… Why don’t you? #RUsilent
— Alia Jenkins (@alia_anne) March 23, 2012
And next to me @COUPMagazine – @Leigh_Andrews is silent, too. In solidarity. #RUsilent twitter.com/libbysighs/sta…
— Libby Allen (@libbysighs) March 23, 2012
