RSJC
The Rape Survivors’ Justice Campaign advocates for the national rollout of sexual offences courts.
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Email: communications@rapecrisis.org.za
Complaints: complaints@rapecrisis.org.za
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ABOUT RSJC
What is the Rape Survivors’ Justice Campaign?
The Rape Survivors’ Justice Campaign advocates for the national rollout of sexual offences courts. These are courts that deal solely in sexual offences, and are the key to restoring faith in the criminal justice system. They also increase conviction rates for rape and decrease the secondary victimisation experienced by rape survivors when they interact with the criminal justice system.
SEXUAL OFFENCES COURTS
What is special about sexual offences courts?
Sexual Offences Courts are specialized courts that deal specifically with sexual offences and provide special support services to rape survivors. These courts are sensitive to the survivor and help to: reduce trauma, speed up cases, deliver better court judgements (thanks to better skilled court personnel), increase reporting of rape, and increase convictions.
In 2013, a new Sexual Offences Court Model was developed as a way to set out the requirements for other Sexual Offences Courts. They have specially trained prosecutors and magistrates as well as a special court room, a separate waiting room for survivors and witnesses and a testifying room with CCTV equipment.
Trained community activists build a shared political understanding and raise awareness and mobilise their communities, who demand that sexual offences courts be established. Our advocacy specialist together with coalition partner organisations does research and gathers intelligence that enables them to identify decision makers, influence makers and stakeholders as targets for lobbying and to give input into relevant policy and legislation. The results of this lobbying is taken as feedback to community workshops as part of community mobilising efforts so that the community is better able to decide on further demands. In this way a network of political relationships – a sisterhood in fact – is formed and strengthened.
Steps we take to mobilise communities
Build understanding & raise awareness
Perform research & gather intelligence
Feedback & community mobilising
How does the campaign lobby government?
Our lobbying activities focus on the government departments responsible for the rollout of sexual offences courts as well as the parliamentary structures responsible for overseeing the work of these government departments. In order to lobby these decision makers, we do constant research.
In our efforts to raise awareness among stakeholders and lobbying decision makers, we make use of formal media and social media in order to amplify our message.
Ways to support the Rape Survivors
Justice Campaign
- Join our social media platforms by hitting “Like” on our Facebook Page and following us on Twitter.
- Share the posts, tweets and articles with your friends on your own social media platforms and tell people why you support this campaign. This way, our message reaches a wider audience.
- When we have public protest actions, join us physically or by sharing our message on social media.
- Consider donating to the Rape Survivors Justice Campaign to help us continue to do this work.
- Subscribe to the campaign to stay up to date.
Download our resources for more information
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Donate today
Join our movement of visionary supporters and donate today.
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Join the visionary community of monthly and yearly givers
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Donate today
Join our movement of visionary supporters and donate today.
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Join the visionary community of monthly and yearly givers