Lebian girl, 13, latest victim of 'corrective rape' in South Africa

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A 13-year-old lesbian girl in South Africa has become the latest victim of ‘corrective rape’ - so called, when men rape a woman to try to ‘fix’ her homosexual orientation.

'The government condemns this senseless and cowardly act of criminality,' the Sydney Morning Herald quoted a department of justice spokesman, Tlali Tlali, as saying in a statement.

'Gay and lesbian rights are human and constitutional rights which must be protected and respected at all times,'he said, promising a police investigation and assistance to the girl and her family.

The latest victim was said to have been open about her sexuality and was raped on Thursday in Pretoria.

Last month, Noxolo Nogwaza, a well-known activist, was found murdered after an attack that appeared to have been motivated by her being a lesbian.

'The vicious nature of the assault is a potent reminder that these attacks are premeditated, planned and often committed with impunity,' Dipika Nath, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, said.

The human rights group has urged the government to more strongly condemn such acts and protect gays and lesbians.

Politicians and civil society groups held their first official meeting on the issue last week in Cape Town. The outcome was the formation of a taskforce to address the problem.