‘Four and a half years is not justice’: Dundee teenager awaits trial in alleged rape case
A Dundee woman who says she was raped at 14 by a former teacher has spoken about the emotional toll of repeated court postponements and called for faster, trauma-informed justice.
Laamiya Khan, a Dundee teenager, is awaiting trial after alleging she was raped by Werner Botha, a former teacher at Dundee High School when she was 14. Khan, now 19, reported the alleged assault to police on the same day she experienced it, but the case has been delayed repeatedly, leaving her waiting more than four years for closure.
Despite numerous postponements and false starts, Botha remains out on bail. Khan, who drew strength from her family and friends, expressed frustration with the lengthy and confusing legal process, describing the emotional toll of recounting her traumatic experience to different officials. She emphasized that she needed support and understanding from adults and institutions around her, rather than suspicion or silence.
Khan believes the justice system should have recognized her as a child in need of protection, understanding, and support. She is calling for the government and criminal justice system to prioritize survivors' needs by addressing court delays, ensuring adequate staffing in sexual offence courts and Thuthuzela Care Centres, and providing long-term trauma counselling.
Khan also wants leaders to consult survivors about their experiences, moving beyond empty words during Women's Month and into meaningful action throughout the year.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
