Indian School Stops Rape Survivor From Taking Exams, Says Her Presence ‘Will Spoil Atmosphere’
A school in India has been accused of prohibiting a teen gang-rape survivor from appearing for her end-of-year examinations.
A 12th grader from Rajasthan state has sued her school, claiming that administrators warned her that she would destroy the "atmosphere" if she spoke up after surviving the rape she endured at the hands of her uncle and two other men in October 2023.
According to the girl's complaint filed with the Ajmer district Child Welfare Commission (CWC), she had been studying at home for the previous four months as per her school's recommendation.
She allegedly encountered school administrators who denied her request to get her admission card in March, stating that she was no longer enrolled at the school.
The school authorities, however, said the student was denied the admit card as she had not attended classes for the past four months, NDTV reported.
The CWC filed a case and began an investigation after the pupil complained to the state's child rights organization following the event.
Anjali Sharma, chair of the CWC, informed the broadcaster that making sure the girl could retake the exams she could not take in March would be their top priority.
"When I spoke to the girl, she told me that she was dejected as she is a bright student. She had scored 79 per cent [marks] in her class 10 board exams," Ms Sharma said.
"... but she may lose a year due to the school's negligence," she added.
The National Crime Records Bureau reports that there were 31,516 rape cases in India in 2022, a 20% rise from the previous year. The country is infamous for its inhumane treatment of survivors of sexual assault.
Because sexual assault is socially stigmatized and victims often do not trust the authorities, the actual number is likely far higher.
According to advocates for women's rights, the stigmatization of survivors is more common in rural areas.
Another witness claims that a court in Rajasthan asked a gang rape survivor to remove her clothing so that she may display her bruises.
According to India Today, the woman went to the magistrate's office last month to record her statement, when the incident occurred. Outside the building, her relatives and a female police officer watched as she was ordered to undress and reveal her injuries.
In 2013, the Indian government lowered the age of adult prosecution from 18 to 16, criminalized voyeurism and stalking, and revised the country's rape statute. Rights advocates claim the government is failing to adequately safeguard women and penalize assailants, despite the existence of strict legislation to that effect.