👀 Green eye girl 👀 :
There is no protection and, in many cases, no accountability from the system. The responsibility seems to keep falling back on the victim.
I have had a case open since 2023. The CAS was opened at Vereeniging Police Station, and up until today, the alleged abuser has not been arrested. As the victim, I have had to continue defending myself—not only against the person who abused me, but also against a system that is supposed to protect me.
And my profile picture is certainly not the only evidence I have. There is clear evidence and documentation relating to my case. Yet I have repeatedly found myself having to do the work that should be done by the authorities.
I even have evidence showing that, as the victim, I was asked to assist the police in locating the suspect.
I also have evidence showing that the investigating officer asked me, as the victim, to collect eyewitness statements.
But I have to ask: How is a victim supposed to go out and look for the person who has already put her life in danger?
How am I, as the victim, expected to locate the suspect or collect eyewitness statements when these are investigative responsibilities that should be handled by the authorities?
Am I expected to put myself at further risk, without resources or protection, to locate someone who should be investigated and located by the authorities?
The government and law-enforcement agencies have the resources and the responsibility to investigate cases, identify and locate suspects, obtain witness statements and gather evidence. A victim should not be expected to put their own safety at risk to do the work of the system.
We are told to report abuse, preserve evidence and cooperate with the investigation—and we do.
But cooperation should never mean that the victim must become the investigator.
Victims need protection. Victims need accountability. Victims need action.
We should not have to keep fighting the person who harmed us while simultaneously fighting the very system that is supposed to protect us.
2026-09-29 18:47:54