Medical, legal and financial aspects of rape in South Africa

Rape is an emotive topic, about which has been generated much heat but little light. Some cynics (usually male) believe that there is no such thing as rape. At the other extreme are those (usually female) who believe that every woman who alleges rape has been raped, and that many more rapes go unreported. The truth obviously lies somewhere in between. This paper examines the practical and financial difficulties involved in the medico-legal management of complainants and of their accused.