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Inspector General David Kimaiyo, DPP and the Judiciary: Take action on the alleged sexual violence against Shailja Patel
Zahra M.
started this petition to
Inspector General David Kimaiyo, DPP and the Judiciary
We, the undersigned, concerned citizens, women’s organizations’, activists and progressive groups, condemn in the strongest terms possible the alleged sexual violence and indecent act against the body and person of Shailja Patel. This alleged crime must be investigated forthwith and appropriate charges brought against the alleged perpetrator who is assumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
Our demands for justice are strengthened by our knowledge that countless others share our anger. Sexual violence is not a women’s issue but a political one that concerns every citizen. We demand that justice is not only done but seen to be done in this and all similar cases.
The alleged assault of Patel is not isolated. Sexual violence occurs with frightening frequency in this country. Women and girls, young and old, even women with special needs, in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intesex community and sex workers are targeted with impunity. Complaints of sexual assault and violence these victims file at the police stations are more often than not disregarded. Cases of rape, for example, have a prosecution rate as low as five per cent. This provides perpetrators impunity. The “Justice for Liz case is only one of many demonstrating systematic failures of the criminal justice system in responding to sexual violence.
Silent witnesses to forms of sexual assault such as squeezing, leering, groping, passing misogynist comments, stalking and whistling, are also responsible to increased sexual violence. We condemn the silence around and tolerance of sexual violence that, in effect, normalizes it.
We, the undersigned, therefore demand the following:
That the complaint filed by Patel at the Spring Valley Police Station , Nairobi under O.B no 25 / 25/9/2014 be investigated forthwith.
That appropriate charges be brought against the alleged perpetrator.
That all men and women of goodwill speak out against all forms of violence against women, particularly sexual violence.
That the Inspector General submits an account of all pending gender based violence particularly sexual violence cases, reasons for delays in investigating the same as well as actions taken by his office to remedy investigative failures.
That the Director of Public Prosecutions submit an account of all cases of gender based violence particularly sexual violence that have not been prosecuted, reasons why they have not been prosecuted and actions he has taken to avert the travesty of justice by such non-prosecutions.
That the Judiciary establish and operationalise special courts for all crimes of sexual violence as a priority with a target for sentencing in successful prosecutions within six months from the date of reporting of these crimes.
Our demands for justice are strengthened by our knowledge that countless others share our anger. Sexual violence is not a women’s issue but a political one that concerns every citizen. We demand that justice is not only done but seen to be done in this and all similar cases.
The alleged assault of Patel is not isolated. Sexual violence occurs with frightening frequency in this country. Women and girls, young and old, even women with special needs, in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intesex community and sex workers are targeted with impunity. Complaints of sexual assault and violence these victims file at the police stations are more often than not disregarded. Cases of rape, for example, have a prosecution rate as low as five per cent. This provides perpetrators impunity. The “Justice for Liz case is only one of many demonstrating systematic failures of the criminal justice system in responding to sexual violence.
Silent witnesses to forms of sexual assault such as squeezing, leering, groping, passing misogynist comments, stalking and whistling, are also responsible to increased sexual violence. We condemn the silence around and tolerance of sexual violence that, in effect, normalizes it.
We, the undersigned, therefore demand the following:
That the complaint filed by Patel at the Spring Valley Police Station , Nairobi under O.B no 25 / 25/9/2014 be investigated forthwith.
That appropriate charges be brought against the alleged perpetrator.
That all men and women of goodwill speak out against all forms of violence against women, particularly sexual violence.
That the Inspector General submits an account of all pending gender based violence particularly sexual violence cases, reasons for delays in investigating the same as well as actions taken by his office to remedy investigative failures.
That the Director of Public Prosecutions submit an account of all cases of gender based violence particularly sexual violence that have not been prosecuted, reasons why they have not been prosecuted and actions he has taken to avert the travesty of justice by such non-prosecutions.
That the Judiciary establish and operationalise special courts for all crimes of sexual violence as a priority with a target for sentencing in successful prosecutions within six months from the date of reporting of these crimes.
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