Statement of CHR on welcoming recent Supreme Court ruling, affirming that rape victims are not required to prove resistance

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling, affirming the principle that victims of rape are not required to prove resistance in cases, where sexual assault is committed through force, threat or intimidation. This landmark decision represents a significant step forward in ensuring that rape victims are not subjected to undue scrutiny, blame or an unfair burden of proof in seeking justice.

As the SC rightly emphasizes, requiring victims to demonstrate resistance disregards the lived experiences of women and children, who may be paralyzed by fear, conditioned by societal pressures, or facing physical and psychological threats.