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What happens when you report a rape

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 09 January 2008

The police official will take your statement. You need not be alone - a friend or family member can be with you while you make your statement, as long as he or she is not a potential witness in your case. If you later feel that your statement is wrong or incomplete, you can make another statement. You can make your statement in your own language (if it may be translated). You have the right to copy your statement. It may sometimes not be possible to get a copy immediately, but then you will get it later. The police official will give you a case number and you must use this number whenever you want information about your case. If necessary, the investigating officer will make sure you are examined by an accredited health care worker, who will complete a medical report and collect medical evidence. You must make sure that the investigating officer knows how and where to contact you at all times, including when you move to another location, but it is a victim’s responsibility to notify the police official of any changes in address. The investigating officer will let you know -

when the suspect is arrested;
if the suspect is released on bail;
if you need to attend an identification parade;
the date of the trial;
when you will have to give evidence; and
the outcome of the case.

A victim must have the responsible police official’s telephone number so that he/she knows where to get information about his/her case. The police investigate the case and then hand it over to a state lawyer called a prosecutor. The service is free to you. Both the police official, the investigating officer and the prosecutor will be able to give you information about your case. Get a telephone number from the investigating officer so that you know where to get information about your case. What can we all do to help?

Join community-based Victim Support initiatives; be trained as a Volunteer.
Report rape - and help others to report rape.
Do not protect rapists - do not hide them in your home or community - tell the police about them.
Bring up your boys to be real men - real men respect women and real men do not rape.

Who can I contact?

Contact your local police station or :
SAPS Emergency Services	10111
SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Head Office, Pretoria	(012) 393-2363
SAPS Crime Stop	08600 10111
Women Abuse Helpline	0800 150 150
Childline	0800 055 555
AIDS Helpline	0800 012 322 or (011) 725 6710

You have the right to say no! No-one has the right to force you into sexual activity, no matter what your relationship with this person is. This means no-one can force you to have sex, or touch you in a sexual way without your consent, or force you to perform sexual activity you find unpleasant or humiliating. Remember - a sexual assault is NOT your fault. Issued by: SAPS Communication and Liaison Services & Crime Prevention Division
Private Bag X94, Pretoria 0001

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