JUST STOP

Gang Rape Videos on Rise in India

To shame, silence victim.

According to women’s welfare officials in India, the practice of intimidating victims of gang rape with a video recording of their attack is on the rise. The recordings have hobbled efforts to get women to report the crimes, as well as official moves to stop what they call “obscene” online content that targets the women. “In many cases, they actually upload the rape video or circulate it among friends on WhatsApp. The woman is raped not just once, but again and again when people view the video,” said Shamina Shafiq, a member of the state-run National Commission for Women. The Indian government is just now starting work on amendments to 14-year-old information-technology laws to address cybercrimes against women. Other online crimes against women are growing, including stalking, digitally altering photos to create sexually explicit fake Facebook accounts, and uploading sex videos without consent.