THE EDITOR, Sir:

I remember reading a few weeks ago that Mark Shields was suggesting that rape victims should come forward and report the crime.

At the time I heard that pro-nouncement, I was in court with the same case. I was raped in January of this year and reported the matter to the police two days later. The individual was an ex-boyfriend and I knew that it would have been a he-said, she-said case. Since that date I have gone, literally, through hell with a justice system that does nothing for rape victims.

I remember in the medical examination that the doctor had to use a flashlight since the facility did not have any of the overhead lights. I was not upset with him since that was the tool given to him by the state, but, the thought that I was just raped and there was a flashlight up my dress did not make me feel any better.

Throughout the court proceedings, I suffered a series of postponements since the defendant could not be found or his lawyer was never ready to proceed. The Investigating officer I was working with was far from pleasant. I have made several visits and several calls to the police informing them that the defendant and his family were visiting and calling my workplace, my home and my parent's home. All that was done on each occasion was that this man was warned not to interfere with me but it still continued.

In the space of six months I had to change my residence three times because of this and because the police were providing very little security, I believed that this was my only choice.

The trial itself was a humiliating experience. I am sure other rape victims can provide similar sentiments. With all of this 'hype' surrounding victims coming forward, what is done to protect them and their families? How can their reputation not be tarnished after the defence is through with them? Will any at all get a conviction if the rapist is someone known to them? With all this legislation being debated as to whether a husband can in fact rape his wife, honestly, which court in Jamaica is going to convict him?

I am left with the fall out from this. For many rape victims, after the system has 'raped' us again, what source, what sense of justice did we achieve?

I am, etc.,

Victim.