Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Put a system in place – enable disabled girls, women to report sexual assault, demand activists

Put a system in place – enable disabled girls, women to report sexual assault, demand activists

Get-hooked August 10, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

That girls and women in India are vulnerable to sexual violence is something few would dispute. Every so often, an incident is reported that moves us out of this state of almost numb acceptance, and shakes us to our core.

The recent case in Chennai where a 11-year-old deaf child was gang raped for a period of seven months by 17 men in the safe confines of a gated community is one such incident. Drugged and threatened at knife point, the child kept quiet about her ordeal until she broke down and confided in her sister.

The accused are now in custody and the girl and her family are receiving counselling. There is a good chance of the justice system in this case ensuring that the 17 men are put away for good.

What is also encouraging is the wave of protests held across India in support of the Chennai child. In states like Maharashtra, Assam and New Delhi, various groups, of disabled and non-disabled people, have gathered to voice their rage and sorrow over what the 11-year-old went through.

So, is this incident a repeat of the Nirbhaya moment? The 2010 gang rape of a young student in a Delhi bus brought the sexual violence against Indian women under the global spotlight. The abuse of the deaf teenager in Chennai has highlighted how doubly vulnerable women with disabilities are.

Yes, I feel this situation is similar to the Nirbhaya case in many ways. I still remember that incident because I was there in Delhi the time. The whole nation came forward to support her. Here too, the Deaf community is gathering in many places across India to support the Deaf Girl. We have to make the Hearing community understand how the disabled are most vulnerable to rape and abuse. There are so many cases like this happening around India, especially with deaf children and women because they cannot speak and hear – Pradeep More, Deaf Leader, Maharashtra

Invisibalising disabled girls & women

A Human Rights Watch report released earlier this year underlined not just the high risk of sexual violence faced by women with disabilities, but the struggle they face in accessing justice.

People with disabilities are more vulnerable at all time. Every day one hears or reads about incidents of violence against girls with disabilities – an these must be the ones that come out. Even in the Muzzafarpur shelter home, there was a girl with speech and hearing disability. What was comforting was that they arranged for a sign language interpreter who was able to communicate with her and therefore express her side of the story – Rati Misra, Advisor, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)

For one, they are not seen as sexual beings and reports of assaults tend to get buried. The other problem is the lack of facilities on the ground to enable them to seek justice, be it a sign language interpreter or a counsellor.

Barriers to justice

Post Nirbhaya, the Indian government has taken important steps to reform the justice system to include women with disabilities, but this needs to be implemented on the ground.

The law needs to definitely be made more accessible for girls and women with disabilities to facilitate them to interact with the police and the judiciary. There is need for procedural and age-appropriate accommodations, and other support depending on their disabilities. This could include access to sign-language interpreters, presence of someone to facilitate communication through institutional support , use of simple language, and the options to file reports in braille etc. – Rati Misra, Advisor, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)

More and more girls and women in India are coming out to report sexual assault, braving social stigma. The question is, when will the justice system start to support them by giving them access to what they are entitled to?

ALSO READ:
Family of abused Chennai teen demands death penalty for 17 rape accused

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 2 of 3)
  • Education,Employment
    A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Kush Kanodia carrying the torch at the 2020 London Paralympics

Get-hooked

“UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

A LinkABILITY session in progress

Education

A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding - Sensory Processing Disorder

Get-hooked

#AutismPower - Varun Sawant juggles multiple talents with great style

Accessibility

Sightsavers India film highlights plight of India’s disabled community during Covid

Get-hooked

Understanding Rare Diseases

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.