SC Nirbhaya Verdict on 5 May: This Is How Cops Fail Rape Survivors

Last week, a woman was allegedly raped by her husband’s friends in Kerala and was forced to withdraw her complaint.Why? She couldn’t put up with the “humiliating” questions asked by police. The rakshaks of our society.The questions they asked the woman were not only absurd but also insensitive. They asked:“Which man gave you the most pleasure?" and “Which size she liked best?”Shocked?Don’t be. This is not the first time police insulted not just the rape survivor but also the uniform they wear.In 2012, 30 cops were caught on hidden camera in a Tehelka exclusive with NDTV, where they blamed women, their clothes, their behaviour for being raped.We at The Quint, asked five women to read out outrageous comments made by the men in khaki on rape.Disclaimer: It’s pretty disgusting.Comment No. 1:Rosheena Zehra: “Already such a sorry excuse for an administration that these crimes are happening under you. And once they have happened, the least you could do is get the victim some justice. Does it look like justice?”Comment No. 2:Taruni Kumar: “First of all, how do you even know she likes vodka? Maybe she liked whiskey... And what the hell is a vodka party? What kind of parties are you attending, sir?”Comment No. 3:Vatsala Singh: “ Well... What I’m wearing, am I dressed for rape right now? When I am dressing up in the morning, I don’t think that this is what I should wear. Or what would happen if I wear this – that ‘a man would look at me and if I look attractive enough, he’ll pounce on me’. Where I work, I see a lot of attractive men. I don’t get aggressive. I don’t look at them and think ‘Oh my god’ , he’s looking so hot. I must rape him.”Comment No. 4:“If a girl asks for a birthday party and is alone with 2-3 boys and sees that they are drinking, she knowns what is likely to happen. When she herself goes for such a party she can’t complain of rape. How can you call it rape when she is sitting and drinking with them.”Urmi Bhattacheryya: “ I think, it’s completely crap. As a girl, I can go drink with anybody I want to. Wherever I want to. You wouldn’t ask the same question, Mr Sub-Inspector, of a guy who went drinking with two-three guys or girls. I’m sure, if he did it, you’ll probably laugh about it and slap him on the back and say that it was a guy thing to do and that boys will be boys.”Comment No. 5:“Choose between a ‘promiscuous culture’ and a ‘safe environment’.”Divyani Rattanpal: This is absolutely absurd. That mean’s if I chose to be “promiscuous”, I’m not entitled for a “safe environment”. We are all entitled to safety. It’s the state’s responsibility. It’s not my fault that people around me don’t understand that I’m in charge of my own life.Edited by: Puneet BhatiaCameraman: Shiv Kumar Maurya(On 5 May, the Supreme Court will pronounce its judgement on the appeals against the death penalty filed by convicts in the 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case. An SC bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan will deliver the judgement. The four men convicted in the case – Mukesh Singh, 24, Pawan Gupta, 20, Vinay Sharma, 22, and Akshay Thakur, 29 – were awarded the death sentence by the Delhi High Court in March 2014. The Quint is republishing this story from its archives ahead of the verdict.)

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SC Nirbhaya Verdict on 5 May: This Is How Cops Fail Rape Survivors

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Topics: Kerala Police Officer Indian Police Service Rape Survivors