Human Rights Watch Calls for Better Treatment of Indian Rape Victims

Human Right Watch called for a cessation of humiliating treatment given to adult rape victims. In the city of Mumbai women seeking medical help are examined forensically and the state of their hymens is noted as well as whether they appear to be active sexually. This information is often used against them if they bring charges to court.

"In cases of very young girls - girls below [age] 12 or 13 - they [police officers and hospital staff] believe it is a case of sexual abuse. But if they are older, then they believe that the girl is trying to falsely frame someone. Their belief changes the way they address the survivors. They are very rude and disrespectful. They will say things like, "Why are you crying?" "You have only been raped." "You are not dead." "Go sit over there." And order them around."Human Rights Watch

The Indian government banned in 2003, the practise of inquiring into the victim's moral character when a charge of rape is brought against someone. However, in many cases the opinion of the examining physician based on irrelevant and humiliating tests sways the judgements.

Many countries have now changed their laws prohibiting innuendo and rumour about a victim of sexual violence being used against them. Tests based on how many fingers you can jamb into an orfice have no bearing on whether a person was assaulted.