Rape

It is estimated that a violent attack of rape happens every five minutes and that in fact 1 in 3 women in South Africa will be raped.

What to do if you are raped:

Get to a safe place.
Tell someone as soon as possible.
The sooner you tell someone the sooner help is available.
Tell someone you trust and ask them to go with you to get help. It can be a friend, family member, or anyone that you feel safe with.
You can get help by going to your nearest clinic, hospital crisis centre, local NGO/NPO, nearest police station, or phone a LifeLine centre. All you need to do to access help is to tell them what happened.
Remember not to take a bath or shower, and not to go to the toilet if possible.
Do not change your clothes unless you really have to.
If you do change your clothes then undre4ss over a sheet of newspaper (as plastic will destroy the evidence) and bring everything with you in a paper bag.
In order to get PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) to prevent you contracting HIV you must be seen at a crisis centre before 72 hours (3days) have passed.
There is also treatment available to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as a result of the attack.
It is always important to seek help if you have been sexually assaulted, no matter how long after the event.

Reporting Rape

The decision of whether or not to report the incident is a very important one, and is entirely your decision, unless one is under the age of 16 years.
A rape case can be opened any time after the rape, but the longer you wait, the more difficult it is to investigate and gather evidence.
The rape can be reported at any police station within the magisterial district where the rape occurred.
Female rape/sexual assault survivors are able to give their statements to a female police officer, in private, at the police station.
You may request your companion be with you.
You will need to tell the police what happened, this is called a statement, and they will then give you a case number. It is important to keep this case number so that you can follow the progress of your case.
The police will issue a form J88 and then take you to the nearest rape crisis centre / crisis clinic.
Once a rape is reported it becomes the state’s case and the survivor is only a witness.
Should a survivor not want the case to be investigated, permission for withdrawal can only be granted by a magistrate.

Rape Crisis Centres

The district surgeon will be called to the crisis centre where you will be examined.
Ithemba Rape Crisis situated in Benoni offers 24 hour access to medico-legal services
Call 0861 467 348
Again, you may request your companion / counsellor be present if you wish.
When the examination is complete you will receive a rape pack which consists of medication to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
They will also give you a course of HIV anti-retroviral medication as long as you have agreed to take an HIV test. This is to ensure that you were not HIV+ before the rape happened.

What to do if someone tells you they have been raped or sexually assaulted

Find out if you are the first person s/he has told.
Find out when it happened. How much time do you have before the 72 hour limit for receiving Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is up?
Remember it is not your job to judge, investigate or verify the story – your role is to get help.
Also remember it is your legal duty to report sexual abuse of children.

Procedure of Child Rape

A child in terms of South African law is any person under the age of 18.
The rape should be reported to the police who will hand it over to the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit – FCS.
The child should be taken to hospital, where a specialist gynaecologist / Paediatrician will be asked to perform an internal examination of the child which will be done under anaesthetic if necessary.
The doctor will compile a trauma report and fill in the J88 form and the child may be admitted to the hospital.
The case will be referred to a social worker who will contact the police and between them decide if a charge is to be laid.
An external social worker will then be appointed to the case.

Your Rights

You have the right to be treated with DIGNITY and RESPECT.
You have the right to make a statement in your own words and in a private place.
You have the right to request that a female officer take your statement.
You have the right to see the officer in charge at the police station if you feel you are not being treated properly.

Remember