If the police won't help you

Many police officers work hard to help people. But some men are turned away at the counter, laughed at, told that abuse by a partner is "a family matter", or told to come back another day. That is not acceptable. If a crime was committed against you, you have the right to report it, and being a man does not change that.

This guide explains what you can do at the station, how to keep a record, and where to complain if things go wrong.

What the police should do

When you report a crime, the police should take your statement, open a case and give you a CAS number. They should treat you with respect and keep your information private.

If you report abuse by a partner, ex-partner or family member, the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 gives the police extra duties. They should explain your rights, including your right to apply for a protection order, and help you get medical care or find a safe place if you need one. An officer who fails to carry out these duties can face disciplinary action.

Sometimes an officer may honestly believe that what you describe is not a crime, for example a dispute about money owed under a contract. If so, ask them to explain why, and ask where you should go instead. If you are not sure they are right, you can get free legal advice from the Legal Aid South Africa Advice Line on 0800 110 110.

At the station: steps to take

1. Stay calm and be clear. Say exactly what you want, for example: "I want to open a criminal case for assault." Staying calm makes it harder for anyone to dismiss you.
2. Ask for the reason. If the officer will not open a case, ask politely why not.
3. Ask for the station commander. If you are still refused, ask to speak to the officer in charge of the shift or to the station commander. They are responsible for how the station treats the public.
4. Try another station. You can report a crime at any police station. If one station turns you away, you can go to another.
5. Take someone with you. A friend or family member can support you and can be a witness to how you were treated.

Keep a record

Write things down as soon as you can, while your memory is fresh. A clear record makes any complaint much stronger.

• The date and time you went to the station, and how long you waited.
• The name of the station.
• The names and ranks of the officers you spoke to. Look for name tags, or ask politely.
• What you asked for and exactly what was said to you.
• The names and contact details of anyone who was with you or saw what happened.
• Any reference or case number you were given.

Keep copies of any documents and screenshots of any messages. Store them somewhere safe.

Making a complaint

If the station commander doesn't fix the problem, you can complain about poor service. SAPS has official service complaints channels, and you can take your complaint higher than the station if you need to. Ask at the station how to escalate a complaint, or look for the details on official SAPS channels.

When you complain, put it in writing and include:

• your name and contact details;
• the station, dates and times;
• the names of the officers involved, if you know them;
• what happened, in order and in plain words;
• your CAS number, if you have one;
• what you want to happen, for example that your case is opened and investigated.

Keep a copy of your complaint, and ask for a reference number.

Serious police misconduct and IPID

Some complaints are about more than poor service. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is separate from SAPS. It investigates serious misconduct by police officers, including:

• deaths in police custody or as a result of police action;
• rape by a police officer;
• torture or assault by a police officer;
• a police officer firing their official firearm;
• corruption, such as an officer asking you for a bribe.

If something like this happened to you, report it to IPID. Your record of names, dates and times will help. Get medical care for any injuries and ask for your injuries to be written down. If you were arrested, read Your rights if you are arrested.

Other ways to share information

If you know something about a crime but don't want to be identified, you can give an anonymous tip to SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111. A tip is not the same as opening a case. You won't get a case number, and you won't receive updates.

You can also tell us what happened, including how the police treated you, through an anonymous report at /report. Men for Change keeps a moderated public record of the harm men face, so that communities, media and policymakers can see it. A report to us does not replace a police case, but it means your experience is counted.

Getting support

Being turned away when you need help can make you feel angry, ashamed or alone. Those feelings are understandable, and you don't have to carry them alone.

• In an emergency: SAPS on 10111, or 112 from a cell phone.
• SAPS Crime Stop (anonymous tips): 08600 10111.
• GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428, for all genders, 24 hours a day.
• Legal Aid South Africa Advice Line: 0800 110 110.
• Lifeline South Africa: 0861 322 322, 24 hours a day.

If you would like support, tick the box when you report at /report, or contact our support team at /contact?topic=support. More helplines are listed at /resources.