The issue of the lacuna in protecting survivors came to the notice of the Court while it was hearing a case where a survivor, represented by advocate Dheeraj, approached the Court alleging that after she had approached the police, she was facing harassment from the accused as well as the police officers.
She said that she had to go to the police station again for permission to medically terminate the pregnancy that resulted from the assault.
During one of the previous hearings in the matter, the Court had called for an overhaul of the victim-protection system for sexual-assault survivors, especially in light of the fact that most survivors are forced to approach the Court seeking police protection when the same should be afforded to them at the first instance.
It had asked members of the Bar to put forth any suggestions they might have to put in place a system to ensure that sexual assault survivors are not re-traumatised by repeatedly having to visit police stations.
Source: Barandbench
