‘The Police And Court Is Our Rapist,’ Activists Tell Authorities Outside Msida Police Station
In a flash mob held outside the Msida Police Station, Moviment Graffitti protested the “unjust and senseless acquittal” of a former police officer charged with raping and harassing a female colleague on multiple occasions in 2018.
Activists performed ‘The Rapist Is You’, a well-known performance piece originating from Chile, which protests the blaming of sexual assault victims.
This event was endorsed by the Women’s Rights Foundation, MGRM-Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement, and Young Progressive Beings.
As the chant goes “It wasn’t my fault; not where I was, not how I dressed. YOU are the rapist. It’s the police. The judges. The state.”
In the verdict last week, the judge mentioned that the woman had avoided answering questions about her personal life, and ruled that the accused’s confession to raping his colleague could not be considered evidence because the caution was not administered according to the law at the time.
“It is a perversion of justice to absolve someone who has been charged with rape by dismissing his confession on the basis of a technicality. All this while expecting the victim to exhibit perfect behaviour and character,” Moviment Graffitti added.
In the sentencing, the judge also mentioned that there were no eyewitnesses to corroborate the rape accusation.
“All wording by the judge seemed to imply that the woman who reported the rape and assault was in some way responsible for what happened to her,” the group said.
“We have seen this happen, time and time again to women,” the activists warned.
In light of the insensitivity witnessed, Moviment Graffitti reiterate calls for quicker judicial procedures, stronger training to the judiciary, and a culture within our justice system that regularly resorts to external rape trauma experts that can show empathy to victims.
Do you agree with the activists’ message?
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