“I came with my pain to the justice system with the expectation that someone will help, but I ended up coming back with more pain.”

SYNERGY FOR JUSTICE and STEWARDWOMEN have released a must-read report on how sexual and gender-based crime survivors in South Sudan are being failed by the justice system.

Through the voices of 45 women survivors from Juba, Bor, and Bentiu, the report presents their firsthand experiences, including:

1️⃣ Police and courts demanding bribes in exchange for advancing cases.

2️⃣ Not being taken seriously by police unless accompanied by a man.

3️⃣ Facing years of delay while waiting for mobile courts to visit their area.

4️⃣ Being referred to customary court where survivors are often ruled against by male elders and chiefs and sometimes even punished for bringing the case forward.

The survivors’ recommendations for change? More one-stop shops, victim advocates, and women leaders and activists from the community to support them.

These stories shed light on the harsh reality of justice for survivors in South Sudan. In the midst of ongoing conflict and instability, the challenges facing survivors are compounded by a system that is not only slow to respond but often fails to provide meaningful protection or accountability.

📖 Read their full report: https://lnkd.in/diR5VWaM