Activists protest acquittal of former police officer charged with rape

Activists performed ‘The Rapist Is You’, a well-known performance piece originating from Chile, which protests the blaming of sexual assault victims.

Moviment Graffitti pointed out that in the verdict last week, “the judge unnecessarily mentioned that the woman had avoided answering questions about her personal life, and ruled that the accused’s confession to raping his colleague could not be considered evidence because the caution was not administered according to the law at the time”.

“It is a perversion of justice to absolve someone who has been charged with rape by dismissing his confession on the basis of a technicality. All this while expecting the victim to exhibit perfect behaviour and character,” Moviment Graffitti added.

“All wording by the judge seemed to imply that the woman who reported the rape and assault was in some way responsible for what happened to her”, the group said.

Moviment Graffitti said it reiterates calls for quicker judicial procedures, stronger training to the judiciary and a culture within the justice system that regularly resorts to external rape trauma experts and can show empathy to victims.

The flashmob was endorsed by the Women’s Rights Foundation, MGRM Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement and Young Progressive Beings.