We refer to the article published in The Star (Aug 27) headlined "University student gang-raped and robbed".

Awam is thoroughly appalled by the fact that five men could actually commit the atrocity of overpowering, terrorising and violating a young woman by trapping and kidnapping her in her own car, gang-raping her in a secluded area, robbing her of her car and thereafter dumping her by the roadside.

No words can describe the vileness of this crime, committed on this 22-year-old girl whose innocence was so brutally stolen from her.

The fact that she was waiting in her own car, on a busy road, in front of a church, goes to show that this crime rebuts all myths that surround it. The events that precede this crime, shows how vulnerable a woman's position can be.

Rape does not only occur in quiet, unfamiliar areas and nightspots like pubs and discos. The startling fact is that 69.4 percent of these crimes are committed in places familiar to the victim. It is scary to think that we may not be safe in our own homes and work places. Women need to be constantly reminded to take precautions to prevent and protect themselves from these occurrences.

Awam shares the nation's outrage and grief towards the nightmare that has happened to this girl and her family. No one should be so terribly violated and traumatised. We would like to reach out and offer our support tho this victim immediately.

Awam offers one-to-one counselling services and we guarantee confidentiality. We also have a rape support group which offers group counselling service. Both these services are free of charge.

Awam's Telenita helpline is 603-7877 0224, fax 603-7874 3312, email: awam@po.jaring.my