Terror is stalking the streets of Pacaltsdorp in George and young girls dare not walk alone after dark.
This follows a surge in reported rapes in the area, with the latest being the brutal sexual assault, rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl last week.
Police statistics show the number of rapes reported between April and June last year and this year have doubled from eight to 16.
Other sources, including politicians in the area, say there were at least 13 rapes in just one month recently and some of the victims were only nine years old.
About two weeks ago, a teenage girl's body was found in an overgrown hedge after she was last seen in the wee hours of the morning at a nightclub.
Also recently, an 18-year-old appeared in court on two charges of rape. One of his alleged victims is only 12.
Some statistics put the annually reported rape cases in the Western Cape at more than 6 000.
But a shocked and angry Pacaltsdorp community is fighting back. There are several initiatives to keep children off the street and to stop the surge in alcohol and drug abuse and violence among youth in the area. These include social awareness programmes at schools, youth groups and the second biggest boy brigade "company" in the country.
Local priest Jacobus Adams said there had been a definite increase in murders and rapes and bodies have been picked up off the streets after violent weekends.
Tik had also crept into the community, but most rape cases were connected to drinking and children as young as 12 or 13 hanging around nightclubs in the early hours of the morning.
Alicia Uithaler, a matric pupil at Pacaltsdorp High School, whose teenage friend was brutally raped and assaulted a few months ago, said her mother was extremely strict about her not going out in the area after dark. She even feared going to nightclubs, Alicia said.
Samanda Spochter, 18, said alcohol and drugs were prevalent in the community and it was dangerous to be on the streets at night.
Even during the day, she now chose to travel by taxi to visit friends or go into town.
Sandra October, who works at nightclub Stepperz, said unemployment was high in the area and there were no parks, pools or other recreational facilities.
Shernica Feltman, 21, said she felt unsafe in the area and her parents did not allow her to go out after dark.
Acting Pacaltsdorp police station commander Olivia Esau said they were doing everything possible and she was personally involved in foot patrols in the area. If children were found on the road at night, they were asked if the police could escort them home.