The Cyber Crime Department of Odisha is urged to take swift action to ensure the removal of all videos and pictures that shame or exploit victims of sexual assault, as well as any other inappropriate content being circulated.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Violence

Odisha is grappling with a severe crisis of sexual violence and subsequent victim shaming. Recent incidents have exposed a disturbing trend where survivors are re-victimized by the online circulation of their personal information and videos.

On 4th November 2024, the state was left in shock over the gang rape of a college student during Dussehra. As per the allegations, the 19-year-old female student had gone to a cafe with her boyfriend in the Puri Ghat police station area in Cuttack to celebrate her birthday. However, the boyfriend allegedly with the help of the cafe owner filmed some of their intimate moments on his phone there. With that video, the boyfriend and his friends blackmailed her and raped her multiple times.[1]

On October 31, 2024, a minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by four persons under the Nayapalli Police Station limits in Bhubaneswar. Even the accused shot the video of the heinous crime and sought money from the victim’s mother by threatening to make the video viral. So far, 3 persons have been arrested by Nayapalli Police in connection with the incident.[2]

In September 2024, as reported by multiple media houses, a woman who reported mistreatment at the Bharatpur Police Station was filmed and the video circulated online[3].

These are just a few examples. Odisha reports the highest cases of cybercrime against women in 2022 in the country as per the NCRB 2023 report.[4]

Victims who report crimes are being re-victimized by having videos of their ordeal uploaded online, often with false accusations. These videos are used to shame and discredit victims, discouraging them from seeking help and perpetuating a culture of silence.

The Odisha High Court has already declared allowing such videos to remain online a violation of victims' privacy in a different case hearing in 2020 by quoting “allowing such objectionable photos and videos to remain on a social media platform, without the consent of a woman, is a direct affront on a woman’s modesty and, more importantly, her right to privacy”[5]

Our Demands:

We demand the Ministry of Home Department, Odisha government to urge the cyber crime department to take immediate action to remove all videos and pictures shaming sexual assault of all victims and circulating other videos of victims from online platforms.

We call for the implementation of stricter cybercrime regulations to prevent future victim shaming and the circulation of objectionable photos and videos on social media platforms to actively support victims and ensure their rights to privacy and dignity are protected.

Sign this petition to send a powerful message: Odisha needs to prioritize ending violence against women and empower survivors to heal with dignity. Together, we can create a safer Odisha where people are protected and empowered!

Image credit: AI-generated image

[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/cuttack-police-arrest-six-in-shocking-college-student-rape-and-blackmail-case/articleshow/115080370.cms

[2] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Nov/01/minor-girl-allegedly-gang-raped-video-used-for-extortion-four-arrested-in-bhubaneswar

[3] https://sambadenglish.com/latest-news/hopeful-to-get-justice-victims-father-on-police-custodial-torture-in-odisha-capital-7087313

[4] https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha/odisha-reports-highest-cases-of-cybercrime-against-women-in-2022-ncrb-2798048

[5] https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2020/12/07/orissa-hc-read-how-high-court-emphasised-the-need-of-right-to-be-forgotten-in-cases-of-objectionable-photos-and-videos-of-victims-on-social-media/