Service delivery within the criminal justice system : the experiences of adult female rape survivors and service providers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the quality of post-rape services rendered to adult female rape survivors within the criminal justice system. The population comprised of both adult female rape survivors and service providers in the Gauteng province, South Africa. From this population the sample consist of 17 adult female rape survivors and 28 service providers. The data was gathered by means of a semi-structured interview schedule. The data was analysed by means of thematic content analysis. The research paradigm was facilitated from a positivist approach since the researcher explored and described the lived experiences of rape survivors and service providers regarding the quality of post-rape services in South Africa. The research type was applied intervention research since the research proposed recommendations for improving the quality of post-rape services to adult female rape survivors. Different types of probability sampling were used in this study. Stratified probability sampling was followed to document the perspectives of service providers while convenience sampling was implemented to explore the experiences of adult female rape survivors regarding the quality of service rendering. The study found that although certain modes of service were satisfactory, discrepancies in the quality of perceived post-rape services emerged across three medico-legal research sites. In the end, the researcher proposed key components of a post-rape service delivery prototype model emanating from the participants' perceived advancements, challenges, and recommendations regarding rendering post-rape services to adult female rape survivors within the criminal justice system.