WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN RAPED
Whether it be rape, sexual assault, violence or abuse it is an act that is carried out without your consent! If you did not agree to it!
It is a crime!
First Response
Your goal is to stay alive and get to a safe place as soon as possible!
Contact A Friend Or Family Member
The first person you tell about the rape is called the “first witness”. This person may need to make a statement to the police about your condition and, if possible, should accompany you to the hospital or police station.
Should I Report My Attack To The Police?
While there’s no way to change what happened, you can seek justice while helping to stop it from happening to someone else. Reporting to the police is the key to preventing sexual assault: Every time we lock up a rapist, we are preventing him/ her from committing another attack. It’s the most effective tool that exists to prevent future r apes. In the end, though, whether or not to report is your decision to make.
According to the Harassment Act and the Children’s Act, reporting of sexual abuse of individuals 16 and younger is mandatory for adults. We hope you decide to report your attack. There are many good reasons to report, and some victims say that reporting the sexual abuse helped their recovery and helped them regain a sense of control. Nobody should face a traumatic event like sexual abuse alone. You need to get support! Don’t ignore your feelings! Your life may depend on it!
Dealing With The Police:
Initially, only a brief statement is required from you. Make sure you read over the statement before signing it. You can provide a more detailed statement later. Ask for a copy of your statement. If you fear retribution or intimidation from the rapist/s, make sure the police are aware of this and ask that the rapist not be allowed out on bail, or apply for a protection order.
At The Police Station You Have The Right To:
- Make your statement in a private room
- Make your statement to a female officer (if there is one)
- Make your statement in your own language
- Have a friend or family member with you for support
Ask for a copy of your statement (you are entitled to by law), write down the name of the investigating officer, case number and the phone number for the police station so you can call to check progress of your case.
Remember, you are not alone!
HELPLINE: 08000TEARS | 0800 083 277
VOICE PROMPT: *134*7355#
For an emergency dial 2 (24/h free call)
EMAIL: info@tears.co.za
TELEPHONE LANDLINE: 010 590 5920
(24/h landline, standard rates apply)
It is important to get antiretroviral (ARVs) within 72 hours of penetration, attempted penetration, oral sex or anal sex. You will also receive PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) medication.
What Is Gender-based Violence (GBV) & Domestic Abuse
There are many types of violence associated with GBV & Domestic abuse. If you believe you are under threat contact help immedietly.
DO NOT IGNORE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS:
Domestic violence
Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of behaviour which involves the abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating or within the family. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical aggression or assault or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering behaviour; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation.
Abuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offence; crime, or otherwise verbal aggression.
Emmotional Abuse
Emotional abuse (also known as psychological abuse) is any act including confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilization, or any other treatment which may diminish the sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth.
Learn more about our youth & empowerment campaign
SPEAK UP is a Youth-specific education service, aimed to prevent and reduce rape and sexual abuse by raising awareness of GBV behavioural contributors to the adolescent market (predominantly ages between 13 and 26).
This new service initially leverages off an enhanced TEARS Help-at-your-fingertips® tool and continues to provide a 24/7 FREE support and services to victims’. By selecting the option for SPEAK UP, you will gain access to video content that is animated, interactive and topic relevant.
Steps To Workplace Abuse
Every workplace can make a significant difference to the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence and their co-workers by introducing domestic violence clauses into enterprise agreements. The following are recommendations of existing policies and procedures.
Step 1: Create a process to develop a domestic violence policy in the workplace
- Include all relevant stakeholder: senior management, human resources, legal services, employee assistance programs, medical and safety programs etc.
- Create a survey to identify how domestic violence affects your workplace
- Train employee assistance providers to identify domestic violence and respond appropriately
- Ensure that the employees are aware of the policy development process and have the ability to contribute meaningfully
Step 2: Identify key areas of responsibility
- Assign responsibility for the planning and implementation of the program
- Identify the safety aspects of the plan
- Establish timelines and accountability
- Maintain a database of incidents and incident outcomes for the planning assessment
Step 3: Develop a policy addressing domestic violence that contains
- A clear and concise definition of domestic violence with examples
- A clear statement that domestic violence is unacceptable at home or at the workplace
- A full explanation of the workplace entitlements covered by the domestic violence clause
- A clear indication where and how staff can access detailed procedures regarding domestic violence and the workplace
Step 4: Developing procedures for implementing the clauses/ entitlements, ensuring they include
- Details of the first point of contact for employees needing support
- The role of key personnel in liaison with domestic violence specialists
- The safety plans and procedures against domestic violence in the workplace
- Confidentiality and support of workers when they disclose domestic violence
- Guidance for how employers or other employees should handle disclosures of domestic violence
- Information on relevant laws and police procedures
Step 5: Provide Training
- Provide a range of training sessions in the policy and procedures of domestic violence in the workplace to all employers and employees
- Train key staff in domestic violence identification and prevention in the workplace
- Incorporate safety into basic training (eg. Do not share personal information to others)
- Seek expertise externally from domestic violence specialists to ensure that the employee assistance providers can identify domestic violence and respond appropriately
Step 6: Distribute the policy and build awareness
- Produce compact, easy to read versions of the policy and provide to all staff members
- Include the policy in the workplace on the organisation’s website or induction materials
- Display public education materials about domestic violence in shared areas (eg. bathrooms, kitchens)
- Provide details of where victims and abusers can get help locally or using an anonymous helpline
- Incorporate domestic violence training and information into existing safety meetings and policies
Step 7: Create accountability measures for abusers if they work in the organisation
Some perpetrators of domestic violence use workplace resources to harass or abuse their victims. This is a breach of workplace policy, which can result in a criminal offence or a breach of a domestic violence protection order. An effective employer response is important to prevent further damage or danger to the victim. Thus, care must be taken to protect the workplace safety and discipline the perpetrator
- Available disciplinary options should be considered (eg. reporting the perpetrator to the police).
- Available disciplinary options should be considered (eg. reporting the perpetrator to the police).
- Minimise the potential for perpetrators to use their position or work resources to find details of the victim (eg. monitoring access to certain computer programs or a change of duties).