CHAPTER 4: Issues for Consideration by Various Stakeholders 4.1 SOME ISSUES FOR THE VICTIM      Rape has long term consequences that go beyond the immediate injury and harm caused by the event. One of these long term consequences is pregnancy. Victims will fall pregnant and under current conditions, the victim and her family are left responsible for the care and upkeep of the pregnancy and the baby. There is need for stakeholders at all levels to respond to this reality and injustice. On going-counselling and psycho-social support is of critical importance in helping a child reintegrate back into the family as well as the wider community. In some instances as in Patricia’s case, the child is now suspected to be a delinquent. She never did reintegrate well after her case was finalized, leaving behind a heartbroken grandmother. It is important for stakeholders to realize that counseling support should not only be confined to the trial or pre-trial phase, as this may not be sufficient to deal effectively with the trauma experienced by the victim or her family. Worries of not being believed are issues of real concern that affect the victim’s ability to make a timeous report. As was clear from Charity’s case, her headmistress’ disbelief went to the point of being hostile towards the child and accusing her of lying, causing extreme distress to the child. Stakeholders need to recognize this reality and craft appropriate information and awareness programmes, targeting not just the victim, but also key service providers. As was noted by the Probation Officer in Mary’s case, women and girls to react to rape differently. This means that while one girl will immediately report the abuse, another might not. However, not reporting should never be taken to mean that she is acquiescing or otherwise consenting to the violation. This unLeahly is at times the interpretation made by actors in the justice delivery system, including the police, the prosecutors as well as the magistrates and this results in grave injustice as cases are either not investigated at all, or perpetrators are acquitted. As was clear from Mary’s case, victim blaming is an issue of concern to victims. There is worry how they will be perceived and whether they would be blamed for somehow causing the violence and this can be a factor in whether or not the case is reported. 30 26