New Delhi, July 16: National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has said that the interpretation of sexual offences should not be limited solely to the physical act, stressing that courts should also consider the survivor’s dignity, consent, fear, and psychological trauma while deciding such cases.
Speaking on the issue, Rahatkar said that the emotional and mental impact of sexual offences on survivors deserves equal importance alongside the physical aspects of the crime.
“While interpreting sexual offences, the focus should not be limited only to the physical act. Equal importance must also be given to the survivor’s dignity, her consent, the fear she experienced, and the psychological trauma caused by the incident,” she said.
Her remarks came in the wake of a Patna High Court judgment which, according to media reports, observed that an attempt to remove a woman’s salwar and touching her chest did not amount to an attempt to rape.
The comments have sparked widespread discussion on the interpretation of sexual offences and the need for a survivor-centric approach in the judicial process.
The National Commission for Women has consistently advocated for stronger legal protections and a more sensitive interpretation of laws relating to crimes against women.
