Justice delayed for sexual abuse victims

Hyderabad: The victims of sexual abuse face trauma even after registering a case as convictions are often delayed. The trauma is multiplied by the government's failure to pay compensation to the victims under its Victim Compensation Scheme. Police say that the delay in getting convictions is due to slow trials, and in most cases the victims and the witnesses withdraw their statements. In the sensational snake gang case of 2014 in which eight people were booked for gang rape all accused were acquitted as the victim did not confirm rape during trial.

Rachakonda police commissioner Mahesh Bhagawat said the rate of conviction will be high if evidence is collected in time. “If protection is provided to the victim and witnesses it can lead to conviction. In addition to this such cases should be put on trial in fast track courts so that the trial can be completed within a year when memories of the victim and witnesses are fresh,” Mr Bhagawat said.

Though the Criminal Amendment Act 2013 clearly mentions that the investigation should be completed within two months and the trial in a year, the ground reality is entirely different. Officials attribute this delay to the requirement of recording the statement of the victim in front of a magistrate, medical examination of the victim and the accused by a team of experts to verify potency and getting the forensic report.

“The refusal of victims to reveal facts due to fear of family image getting spoiled delay trials. Social stigma is also a major cause of them not admitting rape,” officials said. They say that even if accused are arrested fast they secure bail and influence the victim or witnesses or dilute the case by various means.