Latest items for LRW-PRACTICE-2
May 30, 2026, 3:26 p.m.
Countries: Congo
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"...Women and girls there [in Congo] often don’t disclose their assaults out of fear of reprisals by their attackers, she [Noemi Dalmonte, UNFPA’s deputy representative in Congo] said. Hospital and aid workers who collect victim testimonies are likewise fearful of being targeted. Shame and social stigma inhibit victims, too. Yet each week hundreds more Congolese women and girls come forward to report sexual violence by armed combatants, Dalmonte said" (para 10). "Stigmatization is another life sentence, he [Congolese gynecologist Mukwege] said. Survivors often don’t return to school and their marriage prospects are harmed. Children born from rape are marginalized alongside their mothers. Many rape victims end up abandoning their children...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"...Women and girls there [in Congo] often don’t disclose their assaults out of fear of reprisals by their attackers, she [Noemi Dalmonte, UNFPA’s deputy representative in Congo] said. Hospital and aid workers who collect victim testimonies are likewise fearful of being targeted. Shame and social stigma inhibit victims, too. Yet each week hundreds more Congolese women and girls come forward to report sexual violence by armed combatants, Dalmonte said" (para 10). "Stigmatization is another life sentence, he [Congolese gynecologist Mukwege] said. Survivors often don’t return to school and their marriage prospects are harmed. Children born from rape are marginalized alongside their mothers. Many rape victims end up abandoning their children...more
May 28, 2026, 10:42 p.m.
Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Women are facing discrimination on a high basis at all levels. Although specific laws were introduced to ensure, for example, a better protection against rape, domestic violence and partners’ violence, their implementation needs significant improvements. Rights of minorities are undermined to a large extent, resulting in experiences of disrespectful and discriminatory actions." (para. 7)
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Women are facing discrimination on a high basis at all levels. Although specific laws were introduced to ensure, for example, a better protection against rape, domestic violence and partners’ violence, their implementation needs significant improvements. Rights of minorities are undermined to a large extent, resulting in experiences of disrespectful and discriminatory actions." (para. 7)
May 28, 2026, 10:41 p.m.
Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized rape, regardless of gender, including spousal rape, and domestic and intimate partner violence. The maximum penalty for conviction of rape, including spousal rape, was 15 years in prison. The failure of police to treat spousal rape as a serious offense inhibited the effective enforcement of the law. Women survivors of rape did not have regular access to free social support or assistance as mandated by the law, and continued to encounter prejudice, stigma, and discrimination in their communities and from representatives of public institutions. While laws in both entities empowered authorities to remove the perpetrator of domestic violence from the home, officials rarely...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized rape, regardless of gender, including spousal rape, and domestic and intimate partner violence. The maximum penalty for conviction of rape, including spousal rape, was 15 years in prison. The failure of police to treat spousal rape as a serious offense inhibited the effective enforcement of the law. Women survivors of rape did not have regular access to free social support or assistance as mandated by the law, and continued to encounter prejudice, stigma, and discrimination in their communities and from representatives of public institutions. While laws in both entities empowered authorities to remove the perpetrator of domestic violence from the home, officials rarely...more
May 28, 2026, 10:39 p.m.
Countries: Bhutan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized rape and did not refer to gender in its definition of rape. In cases of rape involving minors, sentences for conviction ranged from five to 15 years in prison. In extreme cases, a person convicted of rape could be imprisoned for life. Spousal rape was illegal and prosecuted as a misdemeanor. In 2022 the NCWC published the Standard Operating Procedure for Gender Based Violence Prevention and Response, which laid out policies and procedures related to gender-based violence and the roles and responsibilities of the government and civil society in combating it, including referral to shelters and service providers. The CSO RENEW worked with...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized rape and did not refer to gender in its definition of rape. In cases of rape involving minors, sentences for conviction ranged from five to 15 years in prison. In extreme cases, a person convicted of rape could be imprisoned for life. Spousal rape was illegal and prosecuted as a misdemeanor. In 2022 the NCWC published the Standard Operating Procedure for Gender Based Violence Prevention and Response, which laid out policies and procedures related to gender-based violence and the roles and responsibilities of the government and civil society in combating it, including referral to shelters and service providers. The CSO RENEW worked with...more
May 28, 2026, 10:35 p.m.
Countries: Benin
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized spousal and domestic partner rape without reference to gender. Sentences for rape ranged from five to 20 years’ imprisonment. The law did not specifically reference so called corrective rape of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+) persons. Enforcement was weak due to police ineffectiveness, official corruption, and survivors not reporting cases due to fear of social stigma and retaliation. Because of the lack of police training in collecting evidence associated with sexual assaults, ignorance of the law, and inherent difficulties survivors faced in preserving and presenting evidence in court, judges reduced most sexual offense charges to misdemeanors. The primary form of...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalized spousal and domestic partner rape without reference to gender. Sentences for rape ranged from five to 20 years’ imprisonment. The law did not specifically reference so called corrective rape of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+) persons. Enforcement was weak due to police ineffectiveness, official corruption, and survivors not reporting cases due to fear of social stigma and retaliation. Because of the lack of police training in collecting evidence associated with sexual assaults, ignorance of the law, and inherent difficulties survivors faced in preserving and presenting evidence in court, judges reduced most sexual offense charges to misdemeanors. The primary form of...more
May 28, 2026, 10:34 p.m.
Countries: Belize
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes rape of men or women, including spousal rape. The government generally enforced the law. The law states that a person convicted of rape should be sentenced to imprisonment for eight years to life, although on occasion sentences were much lighter. Problems facing the wider justice system generally resulted in low conviction rates for rape. Victims frequently requested the charges be dropped, often citing spousal support from the perpetrators as key to providing for their children’s well-being." (p. 13-14)
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes rape of men or women, including spousal rape. The government generally enforced the law. The law states that a person convicted of rape should be sentenced to imprisonment for eight years to life, although on occasion sentences were much lighter. Problems facing the wider justice system generally resulted in low conviction rates for rape. Victims frequently requested the charges be dropped, often citing spousal support from the perpetrators as key to providing for their children’s well-being." (p. 13-14)
May 28, 2026, 7:20 p.m.
Countries: Azerbaijan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The situation in Azerbaijan with regards to the criminalization and prosecution of rape is alarming. Official statistics show that very few cases of rape are reported and convicted. In the past five years, for example, in 2019 only 22 instances were officially... Furthermore, rape victims do not benefit from any provisions to protect their identity or prevent re-traumatisation. In practice, the victim has to present themselves in an open court and there are no legal safeguards to protect them from questions about their sexual history reported ... Similarly, marital rape is also not excluded from the purview of criminalisation. Although with underreporting by the police and general unwilling familial attitudes,...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The situation in Azerbaijan with regards to the criminalization and prosecution of rape is alarming. Official statistics show that very few cases of rape are reported and convicted. In the past five years, for example, in 2019 only 22 instances were officially... Furthermore, rape victims do not benefit from any provisions to protect their identity or prevent re-traumatisation. In practice, the victim has to present themselves in an open court and there are no legal safeguards to protect them from questions about their sexual history reported ... Similarly, marital rape is also not excluded from the purview of criminalisation. Although with underreporting by the police and general unwilling familial attitudes,...more
May 28, 2026, 7:18 p.m.
Countries: Austria
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Concerns further exist regarding the Protection against Violence Act56 that imposes on medical professionals the obligation to report suspected cases of rape to law enforcement agencies. Amnesty International is concerned that this might constitute an impediment for women to seek medical treatment. In addition, a higher number of criminal complaints might not automatically ensure better protection against violence, especially as the resources of the judiciary remain scarce." (p.12)
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Concerns further exist regarding the Protection against Violence Act56 that imposes on medical professionals the obligation to report suspected cases of rape to law enforcement agencies. Amnesty International is concerned that this might constitute an impediment for women to seek medical treatment. In addition, a higher number of criminal complaints might not automatically ensure better protection against violence, especially as the resources of the judiciary remain scarce." (p.12)
May 28, 2026, 7:17 p.m.
Countries: Austria
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"In general, Austria is well equipped with institutions that support women, children, and adolescents in the event of e.g. domestic violence, IPV and rape. Austria has 30 shelters offering room 26 for 766 women and children. Vienna provides about 175 spots for women (ORF 2013). Each federal state has its own Violence Protection Center/Intervention Center. Six regional counselling centres for sexual violence are presently installed in Austria to provide counselling and support for e.g. rape victims. However, there is a significant difference between urban and rural regions regarding access to services. On paper, any woman should have access to protection, prevention and support facilities. Nevertheless, some differences can be identified...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"In general, Austria is well equipped with institutions that support women, children, and adolescents in the event of e.g. domestic violence, IPV and rape. Austria has 30 shelters offering room 26 for 766 women and children. Vienna provides about 175 spots for women (ORF 2013). Each federal state has its own Violence Protection Center/Intervention Center. Six regional counselling centres for sexual violence are presently installed in Austria to provide counselling and support for e.g. rape victims. However, there is a significant difference between urban and rural regions regarding access to services. On paper, any woman should have access to protection, prevention and support facilities. Nevertheless, some differences can be identified...more
May 28, 2026, 7:14 p.m.
Countries: Armenia
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Most survivors avoided sharing details of sexual violence committed against them due to fear of their abuser and a lack of confidence in law enforcement authorities. According to the coalition, inadequate evidence collection and absence of comprehensive forensic examinations hindered prosecution. As a result, more than half of reported sexual violence cases were dismissed, reflecting systemic shortcomings and further reinforcing a culture of impunity around sexual violence." (Section 6)
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Most survivors avoided sharing details of sexual violence committed against them due to fear of their abuser and a lack of confidence in law enforcement authorities. According to the coalition, inadequate evidence collection and absence of comprehensive forensic examinations hindered prosecution. As a result, more than half of reported sexual violence cases were dismissed, reflecting systemic shortcomings and further reinforcing a culture of impunity around sexual violence." (Section 6)
May 28, 2026, 7:12 p.m.
Countries: Armenia
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The key findings highlight major factors contributing to the lack of reform, including deep-rooted social value systems, deficiencies in Armenian legislation, and the absence of trauma-informed training among law enforcement and government agencies. Interviews conducted with experts and survivors reveal pervasive issues such as social apathy, problematic terminology in the Armenian criminal code, and the continued failure of Armenian law enforcement to properly investigate assault." (para. 3)
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The key findings highlight major factors contributing to the lack of reform, including deep-rooted social value systems, deficiencies in Armenian legislation, and the absence of trauma-informed training among law enforcement and government agencies. Interviews conducted with experts and survivors reveal pervasive issues such as social apathy, problematic terminology in the Armenian criminal code, and the continued failure of Armenian law enforcement to properly investigate assault." (para. 3)
May 27, 2026, 8:42 a.m.
Countries: Belgium
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"14 EU Member States have adopted an affirmative model 'only yes means yes' approach: Sweden and Ireland... Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain... [This has] increased number of reports, prosecutions and convictions. Specifically, the rate of convictions increased by 75%" (para 19-25).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"14 EU Member States have adopted an affirmative model 'only yes means yes' approach: Sweden and Ireland... Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain... [This has] increased number of reports, prosecutions and convictions. Specifically, the rate of convictions increased by 75%" (para 19-25).
May 27, 2026, 7:45 a.m.
Countries: Belgium
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Most victims did not seek help: about 30-40% tells someone in their environment, only 7% sought professional help, and just 4% files a complaint with the police. Almost 70% of the 1951 doctors surveyed have treated at least one victim of sexual violence during their career, but the victims usually do not report until several years later. 'Victims often do not file a report for fear that they will not be taken seriously or will not be believed because they cannot provide physical evidence,' said Keygnaert" (para 20-22).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Most victims did not seek help: about 30-40% tells someone in their environment, only 7% sought professional help, and just 4% files a complaint with the police. Almost 70% of the 1951 doctors surveyed have treated at least one victim of sexual violence during their career, but the victims usually do not report until several years later. 'Victims often do not file a report for fear that they will not be taken seriously or will not be believed because they cannot provide physical evidence,' said Keygnaert" (para 20-22).
May 27, 2026, 7:21 a.m.
Countries: Belgium
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Belgium has also become the first country in Europe to decriminalise sex work, which Heleen [police officer at Sensoa, the Flemish center of expertise on sexual health] and her colleague Julia Day say makes it easier for sex workers to report sexual violence" (para 5). "Up to 90% of rape cases in Belgium go unreported and only 4% of people file a complaint with the police. Julia and Heleen [police officers with from Sensoa, the Flemish center of expertise on sexual health] say this is due to the hurdles survivors face when reporting sexual violence, not to mention the trauma associated with interrogations and pervasive victim blaming" (para 6). "Victims...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Belgium has also become the first country in Europe to decriminalise sex work, which Heleen [police officer at Sensoa, the Flemish center of expertise on sexual health] and her colleague Julia Day say makes it easier for sex workers to report sexual violence" (para 5). "Up to 90% of rape cases in Belgium go unreported and only 4% of people file a complaint with the police. Julia and Heleen [police officers with from Sensoa, the Flemish center of expertise on sexual health] say this is due to the hurdles survivors face when reporting sexual violence, not to mention the trauma associated with interrogations and pervasive victim blaming" (para 6). "Victims...more
May 24, 2026, 11:18 a.m.
Countries: Belarus
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Women are disproportionately affected by the severe clampdown on human rights in Belarus, where the authorities have been flagrantly disregarding the country’s human rights obligations ahead of the August 2020 presidential election. Women are subjected to gender-based stereotyping and discrimination grounded in patriarchal notions of gender roles which present them as 'vulnerable' and 'weak', deny them control over their bodies and reductively frame them in caring or parental roles and responsibilities. It is also evident in the run-up to the August presidential election that women are often targeted by the authorities in gender-specific ways" (para 1). Patriarchal gender stereotypes and gender-specific targeting by authorities can create barriers to reporting sexual...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Women are disproportionately affected by the severe clampdown on human rights in Belarus, where the authorities have been flagrantly disregarding the country’s human rights obligations ahead of the August 2020 presidential election. Women are subjected to gender-based stereotyping and discrimination grounded in patriarchal notions of gender roles which present them as 'vulnerable' and 'weak', deny them control over their bodies and reductively frame them in caring or parental roles and responsibilities. It is also evident in the run-up to the August presidential election that women are often targeted by the authorities in gender-specific ways" (para 1). Patriarchal gender stereotypes and gender-specific targeting by authorities can create barriers to reporting sexual...more
May 24, 2026, 11:07 a.m.
Countries: Belarus
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Authorities in Belarus are using a variety of stratagems to thwart fair investigations into hundreds of complaints of violence and acts of torture by security forces following disputed presidential elections, says a report published today by two human rights groups, the Committee Against Torture (CAT Russia) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)... Some of the survivors also report sexual abuse or threats of a sexual nature and humiliation" (para 1-3). When authorities are accused of actively thwarting investigations into violence, torture, and sexual abuse complaints, survivors may believe that reporting assault will not lead to accountability or protection. The reference to sexual abuse, threats of a sexual nature, and...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Authorities in Belarus are using a variety of stratagems to thwart fair investigations into hundreds of complaints of violence and acts of torture by security forces following disputed presidential elections, says a report published today by two human rights groups, the Committee Against Torture (CAT Russia) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)... Some of the survivors also report sexual abuse or threats of a sexual nature and humiliation" (para 1-3). When authorities are accused of actively thwarting investigations into violence, torture, and sexual abuse complaints, survivors may believe that reporting assault will not lead to accountability or protection. The reference to sexual abuse, threats of a sexual nature, and...more
May 24, 2026, 10:53 a.m.
Countries: Belarus
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"'Insatiable in their intention to silence their political opponents and any form of dissent, the Belarusian authorities are wheeling out practices that smack of misogyny. They are deliberately targeting women involved in politics or female family members of political activists, including with open discrimination and threats of sexual violence,' said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director... Women also face disproportionate and politically motivated persecution, intimidation, harassment and reprisals in Belarus today" (para 3-4). Survivors may avoid reporting rape because they do not trust authorities to protect them and may instead fear intimidation, humiliation, retaliation, or further violence imposed by the Belarusian police (LEN - CODER COMMENT)....more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"'Insatiable in their intention to silence their political opponents and any form of dissent, the Belarusian authorities are wheeling out practices that smack of misogyny. They are deliberately targeting women involved in politics or female family members of political activists, including with open discrimination and threats of sexual violence,' said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director... Women also face disproportionate and politically motivated persecution, intimidation, harassment and reprisals in Belarus today" (para 3-4). Survivors may avoid reporting rape because they do not trust authorities to protect them and may instead fear intimidation, humiliation, retaliation, or further violence imposed by the Belarusian police (LEN - CODER COMMENT)....more
May 23, 2026, 2:44 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Article 334 of the penal code reduces the penalties for perpetrators of so-called honor crimes" (para 21). This discourages survivors from reporting sexual violence because these reduced sentences reinforce cultural ideas that sexual violence brings shame upon a family rather than focusing on harm done to the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Article 334 of the penal code reduces the penalties for perpetrators of so-called honor crimes" (para 21). This discourages survivors from reporting sexual violence because these reduced sentences reinforce cultural ideas that sexual violence brings shame upon a family rather than focusing on harm done to the victim (LEN - CODER COMMENT).
May 23, 2026, 2:12 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Bahrain’s penal code criminalizes adultery and sexual relations outside marriage, a violation of the right to privacy which disproportionately harms women and migrant women. Women who are pregnant outside marriage, as well as women who report rape, can find themselves prosecuted for consensual extramarital sex" (para 31).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Bahrain’s penal code criminalizes adultery and sexual relations outside marriage, a violation of the right to privacy which disproportionately harms women and migrant women. Women who are pregnant outside marriage, as well as women who report rape, can find themselves prosecuted for consensual extramarital sex" (para 31).
May 23, 2026, 1:29 p.m.
Countries: Barbados
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Child Rights defender Faith Marshall-Harris is concerned with the level of underreporting of incidents of statutory rape occurring in Barbados, which in some instances leads to pregnancy. She has founded a helpline where instances of child abuse can be reported, and says some people contact the helpline but back out or withhold information when attempts are made to get the authorities involved. She’s also concerned about delays with cases before the court" (para 1-5).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Child Rights defender Faith Marshall-Harris is concerned with the level of underreporting of incidents of statutory rape occurring in Barbados, which in some instances leads to pregnancy. She has founded a helpline where instances of child abuse can be reported, and says some people contact the helpline but back out or withhold information when attempts are made to get the authorities involved. She’s also concerned about delays with cases before the court" (para 1-5).
May 23, 2026, 11:36 a.m.
Countries: Barbados
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"There is no risk for you in reporting the crime to the local police. In December 2022, a court ruling in Barbados decriminalised ‘buggery’ [a British legal term for sodomy] but attitudes remain conservative" (para 11-12).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"There is no risk for you in reporting the crime to the local police. In December 2022, a court ruling in Barbados decriminalised ‘buggery’ [a British legal term for sodomy] but attitudes remain conservative" (para 11-12).
May 20, 2026, 3:34 p.m.
Countries: Taiwan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, IIP-PRACTICE-2
"According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, while there were 17,000 sexual assaults reported in 2022, there were just 2,100 incidents of sexual harassment. Experts say people are unwilling to come forward with reports of harassment where any ambiguity might exist" (para 23).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, IIP-PRACTICE-2
"According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, while there were 17,000 sexual assaults reported in 2022, there were just 2,100 incidents of sexual harassment. Experts say people are unwilling to come forward with reports of harassment where any ambiguity might exist" (para 23).
April 28, 2026, 9:52 p.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Ms Brook said she had been continuously singled out for speaking up and that her experience in the fleet destroyed her mental health, ultimately resulting in the mistakes that eventually ended her career" (Para 25). "I held secret meetings in hotel suites and hushed phone calls with sources who were terrified but desperate to speak" (Para 29). This suggests there are taboos against talking about or report sexual assult (JS-CODER COMMENT). "The problems were systemic – entrenched in the culture and often fiercely protected from scrutiny. The Navy seemed to go to extraordinary lengths to throw me off naming the senior officers implicated" (Para 31). "The senior officer involved was...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Ms Brook said she had been continuously singled out for speaking up and that her experience in the fleet destroyed her mental health, ultimately resulting in the mistakes that eventually ended her career" (Para 25). "I held secret meetings in hotel suites and hushed phone calls with sources who were terrified but desperate to speak" (Para 29). This suggests there are taboos against talking about or report sexual assult (JS-CODER COMMENT). "The problems were systemic – entrenched in the culture and often fiercely protected from scrutiny. The Navy seemed to go to extraordinary lengths to throw me off naming the senior officers implicated" (Para 31). "The senior officer involved was...more
April 28, 2026, 7:20 p.m.
Countries: Papua New Guinea
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"while there are many Pacific women and organisations working to address gender-based violence, tackling the issue is daunting — the scale is immense, and the causes multifaceted" (Para 24).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"while there are many Pacific women and organisations working to address gender-based violence, tackling the issue is daunting — the scale is immense, and the causes multifaceted" (Para 24).
April 28, 2026, 3:57 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"She admits that the fact he’s never hit her has made everything more confusing...Mariana appears to have a ‘beautiful life’ — married to a successful, celebrated, and good-looking man no one would ever suspect is violent" (Para 6). This suggests people don't usually believe someone who doesn't fit a certain image could be an abuser (CODER COMMENT-JS). "[C]ultural phenomena such as familismo and marianismo, along with a rigid adherence to certain Catholic values, often pressure survivors to stay silent and endure the violence" (Para 19). A big part of their culture is family roles and the idea that women take after the Virgin Mary and are always nurturing, self-sacrificing, and...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"She admits that the fact he’s never hit her has made everything more confusing...Mariana appears to have a ‘beautiful life’ — married to a successful, celebrated, and good-looking man no one would ever suspect is violent" (Para 6). This suggests people don't usually believe someone who doesn't fit a certain image could be an abuser (CODER COMMENT-JS). "[C]ultural phenomena such as familismo and marianismo, along with a rigid adherence to certain Catholic values, often pressure survivors to stay silent and endure the violence" (Para 19). A big part of their culture is family roles and the idea that women take after the Virgin Mary and are always nurturing, self-sacrificing, and...more
April 10, 2026, 1:55 p.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The first law to be amended was the Women and Children Repression Prevention Ordinance.. 'To ensure speedy trial and punishment of rape suspects, this reform was necessary. It will also help in ensuring proper investigation,' Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary of the chief adviser, told Arab News. The new law reduces the investigation period of rape cases from 30 days to 15 days and the time for completing the trial from 180 days to 90 days. Under the law, a special tribunal will be dedicated to handling child rape cases. Judges will also be allowed to proceed with trials based on medical certificates and circumstantial evidence, without requiring DNA tests,...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The first law to be amended was the Women and Children Repression Prevention Ordinance.. 'To ensure speedy trial and punishment of rape suspects, this reform was necessary. It will also help in ensuring proper investigation,' Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary of the chief adviser, told Arab News. The new law reduces the investigation period of rape cases from 30 days to 15 days and the time for completing the trial from 180 days to 90 days. Under the law, a special tribunal will be dedicated to handling child rape cases. Judges will also be allowed to proceed with trials based on medical certificates and circumstantial evidence, without requiring DNA tests,...more
April 10, 2026, 1:15 p.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"[M]ost survivors face significant hurdles to reporting and accountability. Bangladeshi women and children who are victims of sexual assault face widespread social stigmatization, threats, and a systematic barring of access to justice and accountability. Survivors of sexual assault who go to the police often face reluctance to file cases, gender-based bias, victim-blaming, and humiliation. Minimal access to legal aid, medical care, safe shelter, witness protection, or psychological and social counseling characterizes Bangladesh's typical response to assault survivors. Additionally, the Bangladesh government has yet to pass long promised and expected sexual harassment and witness protection laws" (para 3).
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"[M]ost survivors face significant hurdles to reporting and accountability. Bangladeshi women and children who are victims of sexual assault face widespread social stigmatization, threats, and a systematic barring of access to justice and accountability. Survivors of sexual assault who go to the police often face reluctance to file cases, gender-based bias, victim-blaming, and humiliation. Minimal access to legal aid, medical care, safe shelter, witness protection, or psychological and social counseling characterizes Bangladesh's typical response to assault survivors. Additionally, the Bangladesh government has yet to pass long promised and expected sexual harassment and witness protection laws" (para 3).
April 6, 2026, 12:22 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Bahrain is a Muslim country and as such there are several things to note when reporting a rape and/or sexual assault to the police. Sexual relationships outside of marriage are illegal. Therefore, the biggest risk for a survivor who chooses to report a rape and/or sexual assault to the police is the perpetrator filing a counter-claim against them. Homosexuality is not actually a crime in the Bahrain penal code, but you should be prepared to face officers who may respond as if it is. Drinking alcohol is not a crime, but blatant public intoxication is. Regarding Muslims, a harsher punishment is not applicable and they will be dealt with in...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"Bahrain is a Muslim country and as such there are several things to note when reporting a rape and/or sexual assault to the police. Sexual relationships outside of marriage are illegal. Therefore, the biggest risk for a survivor who chooses to report a rape and/or sexual assault to the police is the perpetrator filing a counter-claim against them. Homosexuality is not actually a crime in the Bahrain penal code, but you should be prepared to face officers who may respond as if it is. Drinking alcohol is not a crime, but blatant public intoxication is. Regarding Muslims, a harsher punishment is not applicable and they will be dealt with in...more
April 6, 2026, 11:30 a.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The unit said that information gathering about sexual violence had improved and that government messaging had helped 'reduce the under-reporting of cases,' particularly in the capital. Calls to the government's 144 gender violence hotline rose substantially over the study’s five-year period, rising from 33,000 consultations in 2016 to more than 110,000 in recent years. Nevertheless, UFEM stressed, surveys of victims showed that 'sexual violence is a widespread phenomenon,' and that many did not come forward to denounce crimes. Studies at a national level showed that 'around 20 percent of women report having suffered some episode of sexual violence during their adult life,' but that '88 percent did not make any...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
"The unit said that information gathering about sexual violence had improved and that government messaging had helped 'reduce the under-reporting of cases,' particularly in the capital. Calls to the government's 144 gender violence hotline rose substantially over the study’s five-year period, rising from 33,000 consultations in 2016 to more than 110,000 in recent years. Nevertheless, UFEM stressed, surveys of victims showed that 'sexual violence is a widespread phenomenon,' and that many did not come forward to denounce crimes. Studies at a national level showed that 'around 20 percent of women report having suffered some episode of sexual violence during their adult life,' but that '88 percent did not make any...more
April 1, 2026, 7:28 p.m.
Countries: Sudan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
“UNICEF cited ‘data compiled by gender-based violence service providers in Sudan’ that showed 221 rape cases against children have been documented since the beginning of 2024. Of those, 147 were girls, meaning 33 percent of rape victims were boys. Sixteen of the survivors were under five years of age and four of them were only one year old. ‘These figures represent only a small fraction of total cases. Survivors and their families are often unwilling or unable to come forward due to challenges accessing services and frontline workers, fear of the stigma they could face, the fear of rejection from their family or community, the fear of retribution from armed...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2
“UNICEF cited ‘data compiled by gender-based violence service providers in Sudan’ that showed 221 rape cases against children have been documented since the beginning of 2024. Of those, 147 were girls, meaning 33 percent of rape victims were boys. Sixteen of the survivors were under five years of age and four of them were only one year old. ‘These figures represent only a small fraction of total cases. Survivors and their families are often unwilling or unable to come forward due to challenges accessing services and frontline workers, fear of the stigma they could face, the fear of rejection from their family or community, the fear of retribution from armed...more