Justice Ayesha Malik Challenges Victim-Blaming Attitudes in Rape Cases
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Justice Ayesha Malik on Tuesday addressed the pervasive issue of victim-blaming in sexual violence cases, urging a critical reassessment of societal attitudes that suggest women ‘invite’ rape. Her remarks came during the launch of a bench book aimed at guiding judges in gender-based violence (GBV) courts.
Speaking at the event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Human Rights, the Legal Aid Society, and the United Nations Population Fund, Justice Malik expressed alarm at the normalization of sexual violence, which she believes has led to insufficient public outrage. She emphasized the need to challenge harmful assumptions that place blame on female victims.
The newly launched bench book serves as a practical resource for judges, promoting fair trials and judicial decisions based on law and evidence. This initiative coincides with a national study highlighting the alarmingly low conviction rates in GBV cases, underscoring the urgent need for reform in the judicial handling of such matters.
As discussions around gender-based violence gain momentum, Justice Malik’s call for change resonates with advocates and policymakers alike. The event marks a significant step towards fostering a judicial environment that prioritizes justice for victims and holds perpetrators accountable.