STATISTICS show that the reported incidence of child rape and attempted rape increased by 8,5 percent from 1996 to 2000, says Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete. In a written reply to a question tabled in the National Assembly by African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe, Tshwete said there were 19 755 reported cases of rape and attempted rape of children under 18 years in 1996. This had increased to 21 438 in 2000. Reasons for this increase included greater awareness leading to increased reporting to the police, overcrowding resulting in imitation behaviour, immorality in society, myths pertaining to HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol and drug abuse. Other factors were a lack of recreational and after school care, and easy accessibility to child pornography on the internet, Tshwete said. In another written reply to a separate question, he said the reported incidence of rape and attempted rape of adult women increased from 30726 to 31112 (1,3 percent) over the same period. – Sapa