Don’t force survivors to file official complaints, Kerala Home Minister urged

Nearly 72 writers, activists, journalists, lawyers and filmmakers have signed an appeal to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to direct the police and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed after the publication of the Hema Commission report, not to ‘bulldoze’ women in the Malayalam film industry, who have shared their stories with the public and the media, from filing official complaints.

The signatories include Arundhati Roy, Indira Jaisingh, Vrinda Grover, Sarah Joseph, KR Meera, NS Madhavan and TJS George. “They are under extreme pressure from the police to file formal complaints. This is a deeply disturbing development. In all cases of sexual crimes, survivor’s agency and mental health must be prioritised above all else. The government must give strict instructions to the police and the SIT not to bulldoze women, treat them with consideration and act in their best interest,” the statement said.

The appeal stated that it is an established fact that the process of seeking justice for victims of sexual harassment and violence can exacerbate their trauma, despite the protections provided by law and often due to the insensitivity of the officials involved.

“Such reports do not necessarily lead to successful legal proceedings. Most of the reported incidents are at least a few years old, and some date back decades. It is likely to be difficult to provide evidence, witnesses and other legal requirements after such a long time. Under these circumstances, we believe that the women involved should be able to decide for themselves how they wish to proceed with their individual experiences after the publication of the report.”

For those who want to seek justice through the courts, the government should instruct the SIT to provide necessary guidelines to ensure effective investigation and trial. Speaking their truth was also a form of justice and there should be no retaliation for that. The state should help women who face such backlash, it said.

The signatories proposed to set up an awareness-raising programme to sensitise the public and the media and ensure that the testimonies of women who have been victims of sexual exploitation are not questioned or ignored simply because they do not want or cannot fight a lengthy legal battle.