7 December 2021
Rape Crisis court supporter Ntombekhaya Norushu stands in front of the new mobile unit for survivors at Khayelitsha’s sexual offences court. Photos: Mary-Anne Gontsana
Six years of protesting and campaigning for better services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse at Khayelitsha Magistrates Court has finally paid off, says Rape Crisis’s Rape Survivors’ Justice Campaign.
On Tuesday, Rape Crisis held an event to mark the court finally becoming a fully designated sexual offences court with adequate facilities for survivors.
In 2019, Rape Crisis released a report based on personal experiences of people visiting the court. Among its findings was that survivors and witnesses often found it very difficult to navigate the court building. The court preparation room and consultation rooms were outside; and no measures were in place to make sure that there was no contact between a rape survivor and an accused ahead of court proceedings.
These problems have been addressed.
Khayelitsha court supporter Ntombekhaya Norushu said, “I’m really excited because finally I can work with my clients in a proper setting.”
The new mobile unit is set up next to the rape survivors’ waiting room and camera room which are inside the court building. The mobile unit has been at the forefront of the organisation’s recent campaigning, as it will be used as a safe space to counsel and provide other assistance to survivors. The unit has its own bathroom, kitchen, waiting area and an office.
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffrey, who joined Tuesday’s celebration, said that the court now meets the requirements of a sexual offences court. “This court should now make it easier for victims and witnesses to testify because there will be support services. I’m hopeful that we will see an increase in the number of convictions in sexual offences.”
Rape Crisis’s Jeanne Bodenstein said this was a victory for the community of Khayelitsha as well as their fight for access to justice. “We are really glad that the voice of the community has been heard.”
Court supporter Ntombekhaya Norushu shows off the court’s new in-camera room that sexual offence survivors and minors can safely testify from.