Dear Pamela, I am new to Goa but have worked on gender questions for many years. I am a man and that does not make me the best advocate of gender jusrtice. I have been also recently invo0lved in developing "men-in-solidariry-with-women" networks through which men have tried to play a role in the striggle for gender justice based on agendas et by women.
I have just read your arrticle on how womens groups have been angered by obvious callousness with which the rape case is being handled. I cannot see any real justice coming out of the various 'eye-wash measures' now being pursued by the government. I belive that the only way for the truth to come out is to have an independent group of mena and women from different fields working together to investigate the episode from a legal and sociological angle. In the final analysis, the frequency with which women are being subjecyed to abuse in Goa needs a bold and creative response. I wish your efforts well. I live far away in Maina-Curtorim. But, if there is a way inwhich one can do something of support, I would be happy to assist aklong with my wife, Roselle. We both share the same views on this issue and want to be involved if we can. Regards, Ranjan Solomon >-- Original Message -- >From: "Pamela D'Mello" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [Goanet-news]Women's groups angered at rape case handling >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 15:00:37 +0530 > > > > > >Panaji, May 29:Police and political mishandling of a ghastly gang rape of >a >fine arts student on her college campus has created a furore here among >women's groups. > >The victim's mother has complained that on 17 May, the 18 year old girl was >handed a drug laced cigarette at a college farewell party, and later >raped in a toilet by five of her seniors and the college canteen >contractor in an unpredendented crime that has shocked this relatively safe >state. > >While police have arrested all the six accused over the past week, the >delay in registration of the crime, character assasination of the >victim by senior police officials and sections of the local press and >faillure to conduct a speedy medical report has angered womens' groups here. > >The girl's mother was able to register a complaint nearly a week after the >incident as the heavily drugged victim was intially coping with the drug's >hallucinatory effects and the inability of two state run hospitals to >adequately detoxify her. > >When the victim recalled the crime, police officials at first deterred the >victim's >mother from filing a complaint, reflective of the reportedly high burking >rates in the state's police department. > >Women's groups are also angered that a proper medical examination was not >conducted initially, yet official police statements cast aspersions on the >victim's background. > > >What has complicated the case now, is that forensic reports conducted a week >after the incident suggest the girl's hymen is intact, though the victim's >accounts suggest she was sexually abused in an unnatural manner, while in >a >highly drugged state. > >A medical team appointed to verify the facts of this now high-profile case, >is divided in its opinion. It is learnt that both female doctors on the panel >have pointed to >other aspects of the sexual assault, while the other panelists have confirmed >the >forensic report given earlier. > >In an interview to a local paper, the victim's mother has now suggested that >complaints against four of the accused may be amended, while the still dazed >victim is narrowing down to two fellow students as her attackers. > >Meanwhile opposition Congress leaders have sought the resignation of the >chief minister over lapses in the case, the easy availability of >narcotics on college campuses and increasingly audacious crimes against >women. > >Last month, a young teacher was burnt to death in an acid attack, >while months earlier another young girl was shot dead while returning from >her workplace. > >While police have yet to make a breakthrough in both cases, Congress >President Ms Nirmala Sawant has objected to the state's chief minister >disclosing intimate and damaging details of one of the deceased >victims.(ends) > >------------------------------------------------------- > >########################################################################## ># Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ># ># PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts ># ># More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ ># ># Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others ># >########################################################################## > >_______________________________________________ >Goanet-news mailing list >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >http://www.goanet.org/mailman/listinfo/goanet-news ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
