At the Hospital | At the Police Station | At the Court
How to get help if you have been raped
Get help as soon as possible - a trusted relative or friend can help you with the reporting process.Report it to the police as soon as possible to increase the chance of the rapist being apprehended. You do not need to make a statement at the police station as this can be done at the hospital while receiving medical attention.
Nelspruit:go to casualty department at Rob Ferreira Hospital. Summon police to attend to you there. You will be attended to in the Rape Care Room established by GRIP. NB Get a police case file number at the police station afterward.
Outlying Areas:Lay charges at the nearest police station. Police will accompany you to the nearest open hospital i.e. Lekazi Med, Themba or Rob Ferreira where a medical forensic examination will be done.
At the Police Station
If you decide to lay a charge of rape with the police, insist on making your statement privately and in your own language. You can also insist on a female police officer or request the presence of a GRIP defuser.
Ask the investigating officer or police member to get you to a medical officer as soon as possible for your medical-forensic examination. You are allowed to make a statement at the hospital as long as the case is registered.
Inform police that J88 and 308 documents and crime kits are available at the Rape Care Room. Insist that they phone ahead to the hospital to ensure there is a medical officer available. It can save hours of waiting.
Ask for a copy of your statement with the case reference number and the name and phone number of the investigating officer. You can also add to your statement later on.
Keep contact with the investigating officer afterwards to track progress on your case.
At the Hospital
Get medical attention at your nearest health facility e.g. hospital or clinic.
You can insist on the presence of a nurse or a GRIP defuser of your own gender during the forensic examination, when samples will be taken which can prove the rape.
Tell the medical officer what happened during the rape to ensure that he/she notes down all signs of physical trauma, such as kicks, blows strangle marks, etc. which can be used as evidence.
Ensure that you get treatment for STD's Hepatitis B and pregnancy (if you do not use contraceptives).
Provide the medical officer with as detailed a medical history as possible to prevent complications with medications, etc.
You can ask the medical officer to explain any part of the examination or medication given to you, in particular possible after-effects from medication.
You can ask for a photocopy of the medical report as well as the name and phone number of the doctor who treated you.
Ask if an anti-retroviral (anti-Aids) drug is available free. If not, and you're on a medical aid which pays for anti-Aids drugs, insist on a prescription. GRIP facilitates the provision of a 3 day starter pack of anti-Aids drugs, available at Lekazi Med (KaNyamazane) and Rob Ferreira Hospital. Mopani Pharmacy (Nelspruit) stocks anti-Aids drugs.
At the Court
Your police investigating officer is the link between you and the court. He/she must inform you when an arrest has been made and whether there is enough evidence for a case to be lodged in court.
You have the right to be kept informed about your court case number, the date and outcome of the suspect's bail hearing and when you will be required in court. You also have the right to be informed about the date of sentencing and the outcome of the sentencing.
A state prosecutor will represent you in court. However, you can also talk to an attorney if you want to claim compensation for damage or injury.
You have the right to request that the prosecutor keep your name and address from the accused, especially if there are or were threats or interference from the accused.
You have the right to be briefed by the prosecutor about court procedure before the court appearance and correct any inaccuracies in your docket.
Rape survivors under the age of 16 do not deliver evidence in an open court. Parents can insist that such evidence be heard in camera.
You have the right to wait for the court hearing separately from the accused and his/her family. Nelspruit Magistrates Court provides such a waiting room.
You have the right to be given the reason for any delays or postponements.
You have the right to have your case dealt with speedily - the ideal is within 9 months from lodging the complaint in court.
