Apply Human Rights

Protection from sexual abuse

States have a responsibility to prevent, investigate and punish the perpetrators of violence against

women and girls, and to provide protection to the victims. Failure to do so violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the victims. (see UN Resolution A/RES/62/134) The goal of States is to create environment where victims of rape and sexual violence are encouraged to seek and obtain justice. Also that the criminal justice system responds effectively to sexual violence.

 

 

States should condemn violence against women and should not invoke any custom, tradition or religious consideration to avoid their obligations with respect to its elimination. ( see UN Special Rapporteur Report on Civil and Political Rights, including the question of religious intolerance, 2002 para. 77)

 

 

Examples of sexual abuse are, but not limited to, physical, sexual and psychological at home or in the general community. This includes marital rape, dowry related violence, sexual abuse, amongst others.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

 

Conventions:

UN, CEDAW, 1979

Article 6

 

 

Declarations:

UN Declaration on elimination of violence against women, 1993

 

 

UN Women, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 1995

Articles 113, 122, 130

 

 

Resolutions:

 

 

 

UN Resolution A/RES/62/134, Eliminating rape and other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations, including in conflict and related situations, December 2007

 

 

Report:

UN Report of the Secretary-General A/63/216, Eliminating rape and other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations, including in conflict and related situations, August 2008

 

 

UN Special Rapporteur Report on Civil and Political Rights, including the question of religious intolerance, 2002

 

 

Recommendations:

UN Committee’s General Recommendation No. 19 (11th Session, 1992)