Case
A women recently complained of multiple counts of rape and sexual harassment by Prajwal Revanna, the now suspended Janata Dal (Secular) party leader, the sitting MP from Hassan, Karnataka, and grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda
While the State government acted promptly by seeking cancellation of Mr. Revanna’s diplomatic passport, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to inquire into the rape and sexual harassment charges, must ensure the videos of these allegedly forced sexual acts are immediately taken down and the identities of the women protected.
Recent Sexual crime cases
The repetitive cases of misconduct by those holding high office are a reminder of the highly unequal power dynamics and political influence that make it difficult to bring the perpetrators to account.
The multiple complaints and charges against sitting Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh, and former President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, serve as an example
Need for change
Survivors of sexual abuse rarely come forward to complain.
And when they do, it is often when their trauma is unbearable, or when they have familial support, or if they feel confident that justice is likely to be served, while they seek privacy and safety.
When a survivor files a complaint, it emboldens others to speak up, especially when it involves serial offenders.
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