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From Violence to Silence

Barriers to Justice for Sexual Assault Survivors

By Neha Mehrotra, Nishtha Jaiswal and Devashree Somani
1 Dec, Sonepat

The aim of this project was to investigate the barriers faced by sexual assault survivors in their quest for justice. Two case studies were examined, that of Ashoka University, as well as the larger vicinity it finds itself in-- Assawarpur in Sonepat, a bustling place perceived to be dominated by patriarchal thought, khap panchayats, with miles to go in terms of gender equality. We wanted to compare the due process provided by local police stations with that of Ashoka University, a supposed utopia of liberal thought producing the next generation’s change agents. Using survivor accounts, government data, and interviews with key stakeholders across the Rai Police and Ashoka University’s Committee Against Sexual Harassment, two varying pictures of the culture of sexual harassment emerge, and the contrast is not what was originally expected.

CULTURE
Ashoka University
Sonepat, Haryana
PROCEDURE
Ashoka University
Sonepat, Haryana
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CONVICTION
Ashoka University
Sonepat, Haryana

 

In the case of Sonepat and Rai, procedural negligence has largely failed the public. Reforms adopted since the gang rape of Nirbhaya, in Delhi in December 2012 have not been fully realized. At Ashoka, it is surprisingly the educated elite who remain apathetic and absent, despite a robust judicial body that has recognized its shortcomings. In both cases though, the victims are the ones losing out. They have lost their voices, their peace of mind, and most importantly, their dignity. It is easy to believe that in a place like Ashoka, demarcated from the outside by its red brick walls and intellectual gates of privilege, sexual harassment and violence against women would be taken seriously, and the student body would be more proactive. At the same time, it is extremely heartening to see that CASH as a body is willing to accept its flaws and is willing to grow.The appropriate next step seems to be the setting up of a system of accountability to hold agents of authority accountable for their treatment of survivors of sexual assault. As Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director for Human Rights Watch puts it, “Reporting rape should not contribute to the victim’s nightmare.”

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