Sexual violence against women in Lebanon: shadow testimonies

The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (LWDG) published on Wednesday a study entitled ‘sexual violence against women in Lebanon: shadow testimonies” which was prepared by Dr. Faisal el Kak, sexual and reproductive health specialist at AUB, in collaboration with LWDG vice president, Ms. Caroline Sukar Salibi. The study comes in the framework of the Gathering’s concerted efforts over the past five years concerning sexual violence, particularly in light of the incompetent and unreliable role of the authorities in protecting women. The above study has documented some 50 cases demonstrating all forms of sexual assault, and depended in its compilation on in-depth conversation and interviewing of victims. Expounding on the survey, Salibi said it is indicative of the humiliation and anguish brought about by society in all its aspects on women victims. “I thought we would never get more than 15 testimonies, but were shocked by the number of women who spoke up,” she stated. Pointing to some 420 rape cases during 2015 alone, Salibi made plain that the Lebanese law distinguishes between marital rape, which it decriminalizes, and all other forms of rape, that are punishable by law. Salibi also pointed out that around 50 women (aged between 16 and 55 years) from the various Lebanese regions and sects have spoke of past violence they faced throughout their lives. This sample of respondents is inadequate, Salibi noted, yet it reflects the harsh reality of a prejudiced society and the way it deals with victims. For his part, Dr. el Kak explained that sexual abuse could be the worst and most cruel form of violence. What is sad, he said, is the way such cases are handled.  "As for the prevalence of sexual violence, we have noticed that women are quite aware that they are being subject to abuse, but the reporting is inconsistent with the frequency of incidents. They are hushed up because they are associated with  the dishonor and disgrace they allegedly instigate, and on the assumption that the abused will sooner or later be held accountable," he maintained. “Remarkably, the abused woman has no geographic or sectarian identity,” el Kak concluded. (An Nahar, May 25, 2017)