Stop the victim-blaming

It is shameful that when a rape victim, after facing unimaginable agony and pain, works up the courage to stand up for herself, the society goes on to shame her and bombard her with inane personal questions targeted specifically to assault her character. 

Understand that a woman does not lose her honour or her respect when she is sexually abused. Instead of asking women to be careful and dress in a “proper” manner, ask men to stop acting like unleashed wild animals. Instead of humiliating the victim, shame the person who had the audacity to make her life a nightmare. It is our duty to stand strong for people who have been tortured and not give in to the lies and flimsy arguments that people, at par with the culprits, pose against them.

Sharifa Ahmed, By email