Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/ 19th Aug-25th Aug
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 the 19th August to 25th August, 2017.
Police constable sexually harasses girl
A 15 year girl was sexually harassed by a police constable in Uttar Pradesh at night when she went to use the bathroom. The constable fled the scene after villagers came to help the girl after she raised an alarm. The family has registered an FIR and apparently the father of the alleged victim died of shock after hearing the news that his daughter was sexually harassed.
Kerala MLA gets bail in sexual harassment case
Congress MLA in Kerala M. Vincent, who had been arrested on charges of sexually harassing and stalking a 51-year-old woman in Kerala, obtained conditional bail on Thursday after his bail request was previously denied by a district court. The legislator has been instructed to stay away from the alleged victim and told not to try to use his power to influence the court case. Members of the Congress party claim that this is a political conspiracy by the ruling communist party.
Scientist harassed 4 PhD students
The principal scientist of the CSIR Fourth Paradigm Institute was arrested on Friday under section 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and was later released on bail the same day after four PhD students under him alleged sexual harassment. They claimed that he would make them stand next to him and stare at them inappropriately. The accused has got an injunction from the court restricting the media from mentioning his name.
5 year old sexually harassed by principal
A 42 year old head of a private school in Karaikal has allegedly sexually harassed a 5 year old girl who was a student in the school. After the parents didn’t get any response from the school administration they registered a complaint with the police and have held protests outside the school claiming that the administration is colluding with the principal to hide his crime.
Godman Ram Rahim convicted in 2002 Rape case
Self styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted by a CBI court for raping two women in 2002 who worked in his spiritual organisation. The person who anonymously complained about the incident was allegedly murdered by Ram Rahim’s followers. He has a huge following in regions of Haryana and Punjab due to which violence broke out after he was convicted. The court will announce his sentence on the 28th of August, 2017.
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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 [email protected]. We look forward to your inputs and feedback!
