Stakeholder Summary >> South Africa, Review Documentation, 1

AI was informed by rape survivors and non-governmental service-providing organizations (SPOs) about cases of failed police response to these crimes, including by exhibiting gender-insensitive and prejudiced attitudes towards complainants, among them lesbian women; by delaying the complainants' access to urgent and appropriate medical examination and treatment; and by taking incomplete statements and conducting inadequate investigations. There are also examples, however, of improved police practice where strong cooperation between police, SPOs and healthcare providers has enhanced victims' access to health services and justice. [Para 15]