NSCW flays sexual violence

DIMAPUR, OCT 29 (NPN): Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) has condemned two reported incidents of sexual violence in Kohima district, involving the alleged rape and exploitation of a 12-year-old girl by her biological father and the alleged kidnapping, confinement and sexual assault of a woman by a taxi driver.
In a press release, the commission expressed outrage over the incidents and urged law enforcement agencies to ensure thorough investigations and swift justice for the survivors in accordance with the law. Describing the alleged abuse of the minor as a grave violation of human dignity and parental responsibility, NSCW said such acts inflicted severe psychological and physical trauma on victims.
The commission also condemned the reported assault on a woman travelling along a route in Kohima district, saying the incident had raised serious concerns about the safety of women and girl students who rely on public transport for education and their livelihoods.
NSCW urged the authorities to handle both cases with utmost urgency and ensure that those found guilty were punished in accordance with the law.
The commission also called upon media organisations and digital content creators to exercise restraint and sensitivity while reporting sexual offences involving women and children. It cautioned that disclosing specific details that could reveal a survivor’s identity might expose victims to further trauma, social stigma and violations of privacy.
While acknowledging the media’s role in bringing crimes to light, NSCW said press freedom should not come at the expense of a survivor’s dignity, safety and legal right to privacy.
It urged print and digital media platforms, as well as content creators, to exercise due diligence and comply with legal provisions protecting the identity of survivors of sexual offences, including Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The commission stressed that protecting women and children required collective responsibility, strict compliance with the law and ethical accountability.