Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/ July 22nd-28th
Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
Written by Nikunj Morarka
Policy and Legal Team
Sexual violence is a global pandemic. One in three women experience sexual or physical violence – most likely from their intimate partner, according to a report from the World Health Organization. There is an urgent need to increase sensitisation regarding sexual violence and the awareness of consent and sexual violence amongst persons at large. In this series, we examine sexual violence and related issues that have come up in the news, on a weekly basis, published every Saturday. This is an attempt to improve awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence and related matters, so that we, as a society can take steps towards collective action to reduce its incidence. It is an effort to ensure that we acknowledge the rampant sexual violence that exists, lest we forget.
This issue looks at news from 22nd to 28th July, 2017.
Tailor rapes mentally challenged help
A mentally challenged girl who worked as a helper for a woman who ran a cloth business from her home in Hyderabad was raped by a tailor who worked at the same place. He used to give her something to drink that made her drowsy after which he would rape her, this allegedly happened four to five times. The incident was discovered after the girl fell ill and was found to be pregnant. The 48 year old tailor has been arrested and charged under IPC section 376 (rape) and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Delhi Cop strips, masturbates at camp in front of women
A police constable inappropriately touched two female constables at a dinner during a training camp at Jharoda Kalan, he was reportedly stinking of alcohol. An hour after this incident another women accused the constable of stripping and masturbating in front of her. The Delhi cop has been suspended and a departmental enquiry is underway.
Journalist arrested for sexually assaulting subordinate
Amal Vishnudas who was a senior editor at Mathrubhumi news, which is based in Kerala, was arrested this Wednesday after an employee complained that he sexually assaulted her multiple times after promising that he would marry her. Surprisingly, instead of trying to cover up the incident, Mathrubhumi news ran a prime time debate on the editor’s arrest and about Sexual Harassment at the Workplace.
Village Elders in Pakistan order Revenge Rape
After a man was accused of raping a girl in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the village council ordered the alleged victims’ brother to rape the alleged rapists’ 17 year old sister in front of her family as punishment. Police have arrested 20 people after the incident and investigation is going on.
Sexual harassment complaint system launched for central government employees
The Women and Child Development ministry under the union minister Maneka Gandhi has launched an online sexual harassment complaint system for central government employees called ‘SHe-box’ (sexual harassment electronic box) which is hosted on the ministry’s website. It aims to provide speedy resolution and improve transparency by updating the progress of the complaint on the complaint system.
Once the complaint is received it will be directly sent to the internal complaints committee (ICC) of the ministry/department/PSU/autonomous body, etc. The ICC will then take action as per the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The union minister said that the ministry will be undertaking a wider survey of the issue and expand this complaint system to also include the private sector.
Connect with us?
In case you like this new series, hate it, or think there are stories that we should be covering but have missed out on, please email us at vanditamorarka@gmail.com. We look forward to your inputs and feedback!