Moroccan Association Leads the Charge Against Sexual Assault

Thursday 23 May 2024 - 16:30

Morocco's Association for Victims' Rights (AMDV) has emerged as a pioneering force in combating the pervasive issue of sexual assault, as highlighted in a recent press conference in Rabat by the association's president, Aïcha Guellaâ.

During the conference themed "Baraka men Skat" (Speak Up), Guellaâ illuminated AMDV's three-year journey, emphasizing the organization's unprecedented efforts in amplifying the voices of sexual assault survivors, with a particular focus on women and children. She underscored that AMDV's initiatives represent a groundbreaking endeavor, not only within the national landscape but also across the Arab region.

Guellaâ disclosed that over the past three years, AMDV has provided vital support to 30 women and 20 children who have endured the traumatic ordeal of sexual aggression. However, she candidly acknowledged that these figures only scratch the surface of the pervasive issue in Morocco.

The conference convened legal professionals, scholars, and experts who underscored the paramount importance of empowering victims to break the silence surrounding sexual assault and to hold perpetrators accountable. They delineated the numerous obstacles hindering victims from seeking justice, including convoluted judicial procedures, limited access to legal assistance, and entrenched socio-cultural norms.

These barriers, the experts cautioned, not only compromise the physical integrity of survivors but also erode their dignity, thereby fostering an environment where aggressors act with impunity.

AMDV stressed the urgent necessity for comprehensive awareness campaigns to combat the enduring repercussions of sexual violence and challenge the societal norms perpetuating such abhorrent crimes.

Quoting Article 22 of the Moroccan Constitution, which unequivocally prohibits the violation of any individual's physical or moral integrity, the conference participants underscored the need for a robust legal framework that ensures sexual assault perpetrators face appropriate penalties commensurate with the gravity of their crimes. Moreover, they advocated for the establishment of support mechanisms to aid complainants and ensure accountability for aggressors.

Concurrently, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi announced the formulation of new judicial measures aimed at imposing stricter penalties for online sexual harassment and cyber blackmail. The minister also emphasized the imperative of enhancing social media literacy among Moroccan users to mitigate the suffering of sexual harassment victims and foster a more enlightened society.

Morocco's endeavors to address sexual assault align with its ratification of numerous international human rights conventions geared towards safeguarding women and children from sexual violence. Nonetheless, the struggle to prioritize this issue within national policy remains an ongoing challenge.