Rape is a significant societal and public health problem in South Africa. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act No. 32 of 2007 provides a legal framework for responding to sexual offences and an integrated response framework for victim-friendly service provision including the prescription of directives for the different actors within the criminal justice system. While the legislation was enacted to ensure recourse for victims and the retribution against rape perpetrators, not every reported case is concluded with a verdict from a trial and many of these are not guilty verdicts. Various  factors influence the progression of cases within the criminal justice system, some of which may be amenable to intervention with positive effect. An understanding of these factors is critical for improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in securing justice for victims of rape.

View the complete Rape Justice In South Africa: A Retrospective Study Of The Investigation, Prosecution And Adjudication Of Reported Rape Cases From 2012 report