In South Africa a woman is raped every 23 seconds… and most of these cases go unreported. Of those that do, only 4% end in conviction. There is massive fallout of cases from the point of reporting through to prosecution. Many blame poor treatment at the hands of the police and courts for discouraging women from seeking justice.
For women who have been raped, this is the worst and most important thing that has happened to them. Yet the system takes no account of their trauma. It starts with the police. We filmed hidden camera footage of women as they went to the police to report or follow-up cases of rape. The footage shows the complete lack of interest and downright rudeness with which the police treat these traumatised victims. Reactions ranged from disbelief to blame, and were followed by cases being lost or investigators so swamped with work that the victim was never contacted.
The courts are no better. We look at how bail is given to men with multiple charges against them: a serial rapist and child molester. Little regard is given to the victim, and they are left to live in fear of meeting the perpetrator again. With court cases dragging on for years, they become prisoners in their own homes, too scared to go outside for fear of meeting these men.
Even magistrates and judges flout the legislation and fail to give the minimum sentences in rape cases. With sentences that describe a “gentle rapist” show a judicial system plagued by stereotypes and a lack of understanding about the harm rape causes. Throughout, the message seems to be “it is OK to rape, you will get off lightly.”
"Aquestion of honour" Written and produced by: Sasha Wales-Smith camera and Sound: Roy Freeman and Meggan Raubbenheimer
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