First the girl in Madhya Pradesh was gang raped and thrown from a moving bus. Then she suffered what almost felt like a further rape as doctors subjected her to a gross “2 finger” virginity test.
For fear of how state officials will treat them, 9 out of 10 Indian women don’t report rapes. The Union government recently banned these tests and published new guidelines for helping survivors while collecting evidence, but these violations will continue unless enough of us take a stand. Madhya Pradesh is the worst state for child rapes, so the change should start here.
The doctors are already under investigation, but now let’s push the Chief Minister to ensure that these degrading, victim-blaming tests are stopped across the state, and new rape kits are made available in every hospital. Join the call and share this with everyone:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/singrauli_rape_b/?bJAdReb&v=39581
After this young Dalit girl was assaulted and thrown bodily from the bus, she had the immense courage to file a complaint. She was then subjected to the banned test, and the police further humilated her by releasing the ‘findings’ to the press: “Patient is habituated to sexual intercourse.” This kind of treatment perpetuates a culture where women are blamed for the attacks they suffer.
The details of the case echo the dreadful Delhi rape in 2012. That tragedy sparked a firestorm of outrage and is slowly changing India. Rape is now talked about rather than swept under the carpet. The culture of misogyny that underlies these vicious attacks is being discussed and slowly picked apart. But there is still so much more to do.
The police and medical staff who further abused this brave child are under investigation, but together we can make sure no other woman or girl suffers the way she did. Chief Minister Chouhan is also the Chairman of the State Health Society, so he is doubly responsible to protect rape victims in hospital care. Join the call to stop state sponsored rape and instead ensure real evidence collection — sign and share now:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/singrauli_rape_b/?bJAdReb&v=39581
Avaaz members are at the forefront of campaigns against gender violence in India. Most recently, our strong community rallied behind inspiring leaders of the women’s movements who created the transformative ‘Womanifesto,’ a six point plan for an India where women and girls are not only safe and secure, but free and flourishing. Medical staff have an important role to play in this transformation, so let’s make sure they are all informed about the laws.
With hope and determination,
Meredith, Shreya, Angie, Alex, Ricken and the whole Avaaz team