Students across the country took to the streets yesterday, outraged by the “government’s inaction” amid a series of incidents of rape and sexual violence against children in recent days.

From now on, only female magistrates will record statements of female and child victims of rape and sexual harassment in order to ensure fair investigation and justice, said a circular issued by the Supreme Court administration yesterday.

From now on, only female magistrates will record statements of female and child victims of rapes and sexual harassment. The chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates have to assign female magistrates for recording statements of the victims.

A staggering 29 of the 46 victims raped in January were below 18, showing that children remain vulnerable to sexual violence.