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Rabat — The Moroccan NGO, Tahadi Association for Equality and Citizenship, has denounced the violence and sexual assault case of a young woman in Tangier, who was attacked by several minors and adults.
The association stated this week that the perpetrators exploited the victim and committed “shameful and criminal acts, violating Law 103.13 on combating violence against women and related criminal laws.”
In its statement issued on Tuesday, the NGO denounced the fact that “violence against women in its various forms persists despite public policies.”
“This violence is not only highlighted by this specific incident, which facilitated evidence gathering and the identification of the perpetrators, but it also raises questions about thousands of cases of harassment and attempted sexual assault in public spaces, workplaces, and social media, where victims find it nearly impossible to provide the evidence that is expected of them, limiting their avenues for legal redress,” the association added.
Last week, a video circulating online showed several young people and adults sexually assaulting a woman in a public space.
The disturbing video shows the perpetrators as they were lifting the victim’s dress, grabbing her arm, and touching her inappropriately.
It was not until a man intervened that the perpetrators ran away to escape the scene.
A security source said that an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances and to arrest the people involved.
As a result of this investigation, so far a 15-year-old boy has been arrested.
The Tahadi association further expressed concerns about the situation, including the roles of families and socialization institutions.
“The abuse of women and girls by minors has become alarmingly common,” the NGO said, emphasizing the importance of awareness and education among young people both inside and outside schools.
Among awareness tools, the group stressed the role of social media, which can be used to protect women and and girls by showcasing the daily struggles faced by gender-based violence.
The NGO also called for stricter punitive measures against offenders.
The group further stressed the importance of media and its crucial role in protecting women and girls by raising awareness about their daily struggles with gender-based violence.
The statement concluded with a series of recommendations, calling for the establishment of a criminal legislation capable of deterring offenders from committing all forms of violence, including on digital platforms.
The recommendations also called for the implementation of regulatory measures that allow for the monitoring and recording of misconduct in public spaces.
The association also recommended a judiciary process, calling on the public prosecutor to exercise legal powers in pursuing suspects invovled in crimes against women and to expedite the handling of complaints filed by women and girls.
