Panelists deliberate on Rape: Law and Language

September 26, 2020: The Centre for Excellence in Journalism at the Institute of Business Administration Karachi (CEJ-IBA) conducted a webinar on Rape: Law and Language. The session was moderated by IBA faculty member Morial Shah. Panelists for the session were activist Sarah Zaman, researcher Nazish Brohi and Barrister Benazir Jatoi.

The webinar focused on the language used in courts in rape cases. Panelists highlighted that words like "habitual" and "sexually active" should not be used in hearings by the police or lawyers. Talking about the victim's statement, Ms. Shah said, "When survivors are talking to police or at court there will be a lot of discrepancy. This doesn't mean that the crime has not happened." Moreover, she added that it is difficult for the victims to repeat everything in detail repetitively.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session. The session can be accessed here