A 25-year-old Hout Bay resident was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the rape of a German tourist near Cape Town’s Sandy Bay, police said.
The man was arrested at 1.30am after police followed up on information provided by the public, Superintendent Billy Jones said.
He will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The 27-year-old woman was on a hiking trail in the area when a naked man confronted her and raped her.
Immediately after a rape, according to Rape Crisis, survivors often experience shock, feel cold, faint, tremble, feel nauseous or vomit.
They may become pregnant or have gynaecological problems such as irregular menstruation, vaginal discharges, bladder infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
They could suffer tension headaches, back and stomach pains, sleep and appetite disturbances.
The support group’s website advises victims to go to a safe place and tell the first person they can trust, and if this person is a stranger, to record their name and address.
Advice includes not washing and not throwing away clothes worn during the rape, so that the police can collect evidence.
”Whether you choose to lay a charge or not, you must go to your own doctor, hospital or clinic. You must say you have been raped and want treatment.”
They advise victims to ask for the ”morning after” pill to prevent pregnancy and to go back to the doctor if they experience any symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.
Victims should also have an HIV test immediately because of the risk of being infected with the virus that causes Aids. The result of that test is compared with another one taken three months later.
The virus takes longer to show up in children, so they should be retested up to 18 months after being raped.
Drugs that could prevent HIV infection are available from a health centre at any government hospital. They must be taken within 48 hours after the attack and the health-care worker will explain how they work and when to go back for follow-up doses. — Sapa