[28 Feb] The Catalog: Mostly Bad News & Some Good News
At the time of writing, social media #India is experiencing one of its periodic explosions of misguided patriarchal patriotism. The online pitchfork mob has dialed the khap upto 11, mansplaining, screaming treason & issuing rape threats against a young college student for essentially saying that – war is bad. And considering the girl lost her father in one….
It is futile to see how all of this makes sense. Certainly goes to show how it may not rain in monsoons anymore, the sky is hardly ever blue, roosters may crow at noon but patriarchy is alive and kicking, now fortified with 80% more crowd-sourced content.
And in the light of this, it is tempting to say that – we get the mainstream media we deserve.
Last week, some reputed mastheads of the fourth estate ticked every box on the ‘strictly no-no’ checklist while reporting cases of gender violence. There was excited sensationalist reportage to racial profiling to absolute disregard for the anonymity of the victim and of course, the old favorite – blaming the victim.
It is a dangerous kind of irresponsibility. Such reporting by the media creates collective mental models of the crime that has little or no truck with reality. At heightened moments, we have seen that these mental models influence policy with bad knee-jerk decisions.
Put bad policies together with politicians with vendettas and you have weapons of mass incarceration. The time for sense to prevail was yesterday… but even now would be a good time to start.
#Quote of the Week:
“This woman is defined in so many ways, it makes her a very complete human being. She is not defined only by rape and the rapist. She is new. A post-feminist heroine.”
– Isabelle Huppert on playing a “non-victim” of gender violence in ‘Elle’, absolutely last year’s best and most provocative movie.
#Reporting Gender Violence
Where Must The Media Draw the Line?
This past week, Kerala witnessed a truly horrific case where an actor was abducted, held hostage and sexually assaulted. Even as the nature of the sexual assault was being confirmed, the media whipped up a breaking news frenzy where each bulletin was more lurid than the one before.
The anonymity and dignity of the victim were clearly not a concern. While some played the most ‘but-obviously’ plotted game of join-the-dots with the details of the victim (naming the movies the victim has been in), some like Times Of India published photographs of the actor. All this despite common sense, concern for well-being of victim and section 228 A (1) of the IPC which punishes violation of confidentiality of victims of gender violence .
While Kerala may score on several development indices, its attitude towards gender, morality and the safety of women has always been of concern. And the media is clearly part of the problem.
As a result of this incident, Kerala has announced the creation of a ‘sex offenders registry’ – the first of its kind in the country. Is that truly the best response that they could up with?
So this is how The Times of India, Delhi chose to report gender violence- racial profiling, hinting that the woman was ‘reveling’ in a pub, locations of her home and office in Delhi, unnecessary detailing of the crime, vague statements about lodging the report – and all if this wrapped in, forgivably, bad grammar & unforgivably, a judgmental tone.
Karnataka State Commission for Protection for Child Rights Members Violates Victim Confidentiality
A member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was pulled up for posting photographs of a playschool, where a three-year-old child was sexually assaulted, on his social media account.
Click to Access Aarambh India’s Resource page for Journalists
#Sex Education
Health Ministry Resource Material: Same Sex Attraction is Okay, Boys Cry and Consent is Essential
Some unexpected and rare good news came in this week as the Health Ministry released Resource Material for Adolescent Peer Educators. It tells young people that it is all right to “feel attraction” for the opposite sex or the same sex during adolescence. The crucial aspects of all such relationships, it says, are consent and respect. It also moves away from gender stereotypes where it says it is fine for boys to cry and categorizations such as “sissy” and “tomboy” are inappropriate. It’s a progressive step in a sensitive direction.
Q: Is masturbation a normal? Does it cause impotency?
A: It is normal. It doesn’t cause impotency.
Q: Should one get into a sexual relationship before marriage?
A: It depends on the individual. Sexual relationship would be with consent, not by force. It is important to be aware of HIV, other STDs and unwanted pregnancy.
The Government’s Saathiya App released as part of the resource material is getting some rave reviews, even from erstwhile critics.
#Pursuing Justice
Things to Know When Pursuing Justice For Child Victims of Sexual Offences
Few cases in which Aarambh India was involved in care & support interventions have made its way into court. We recorded the experiences of our social workers throughout the process and prepared the 1st Phase of “Things to Know When Pursuing Justice for Child Victims.” It is a simple and straightforward account of best practices to be followed when accompanying a child victim as they journey through the justice system.
It is still a ‘beta’ draft. We appreciate any feedback/corrections that can be mailed to “info@aarambhindia.org”.
POCSO Compensation Fund to Be Set Up
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Ms. Maneka Gandhi has reportedly decided to set up a POCSO Victims Compensation Fund to provide financial support to children who are victims of sexual crimes. Financial resources will be drawn from the Nirbhaya Fund.
Delhi HC Suggests Correctional Measures For Reforming Rape Convict
The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the superintendent at Tihar Jail to consider appropriate correctional measures to reform a rape convict sentenced to 10-year imprisonment
Bombay High Court Judge Expunges her Regressive Comments on a minor rape victim
On February 9, a senior judge of the Bombay High Court, Justice Sadhana Jadhav, passed an order expunging the comments she herself had made last month while granting bail to a man accused of sexually abusing his minor adopted daughter.
#News
Institutional Abuse was brought to light at one of Bangalore’s more prestigious educational institutions. The perpetrator was the principal, Kumar Thakur. Allegedly, the school counselor would draw out lists of vulnerable students for the principal, who would then schedule “counselling” sessions where he would sexually assault the students. Once the incidents came to light, the institution attempted to transfer him to another school. The accused is currently out on bail but has effectively been suspended after much public outcry.
Shelter Home Accused of Selling Children
Police in eastern India have shut down an orphanage and arrested its owner for illegally selling babies to childless couples. The orphanage in the city of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, run by a nonprofit organisation, sold at least two dozen children for adoption. Further investigation has revealed involvement of local doctors and politicos.
#Events
When: March 6th 2017
Where: Chennai
If Interested Contact: tulircphcsa@yahoo.co.
That’s it for this Fortnight. See You In the Next!
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