Although our Constitution and Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act enshrine the right to live free from violence and sexual assault, South Africa has one of the highest incidents of rape in the world. In 2011/12 alone, 9 193 sexual offences were reported in the Western Cape – an average of just under 27 cases per day. Set against a background of poverty, easy access to drugs and HIV infection, many victims do not report having been raped, as they have little faith in our criminal justice system. South Africa is reaching a tipping point on rape, and thus a nationwide conversation needs to take place between government, academia and civil society.

On 29 August, the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies, Sonke Gender Justice, Catholic…