South Africa is often called the rape capital of the world, and it is estimated that more than 70% of women have experienced sexual abuse

Recently, five men attacked and gang-raped a young woman in the capital, Pretoria. In the shadow of a similar attack in India that mobilized millions to protest, activists in Johannesburg say that they do not understand why more South Africans are not outraged. Police say that the young woman was waiting overnight in line to register at the Tshwane University of Technology. Five men dragged her into the bushes, raped her and stole her phone and money. Police say that no suspect has been been arrested. When a young student in New Delhi was gang-raped by six men, beaten and left to die recently, the horrific act sparked mass protests across India. The victim’s father recently announced her name to the world. Her name was Jyoti, a Hindu name that means “light.” And fittingly, her plight has focused the world’s attention on India’s rape epidemic. Five of the six suspects have appeared before a New Delhi court and charged with abduction, gang rape and murder. The case’s swiftness is unheard of in a nation where it normally takes months for prosecutors to prepare. But in South Africa, says activist Zubeda Dangor, it is likely that this one student’s horrific ordeal will simply fade from public view. Dangor, who is of Indian ancestry, is the executive director of the Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development. “Why is South African society complacent about something like this?" she asks. "And, the lesson that we do take from the Indian experience is that we do need to be able to stand up. We are people that have a struggle history, that have organized. But we organized in terms of liberation of South Africa, but we can’t seem to get our act together in terms of organizing against sexual violence.” South African police documented more than 64,000 rapes in 2012. And, that figure includes only reported rapes. A widely cited 2010 study by the Medical Research Council found that more than a quarter of South African men have admitted to raping a girl or woman. One in seven men admitted to gang rape. Dangor says that no woman is safe. Rape victims include babies, girls and old women. South Africa also struggles with unacceptably high levels of abuse. According to government figures, 90% of women have experienced emotional and physical abuse and 71% have experienced sexual abuse.