The decision of judges to throw out a rape case in Peru has sparked outrage and protests.
A court declared that the alleged victim could not have been rape because her red underwear meant ‘she was ready and willing to have sex’.
The South Zone Transitory Supraprovincial Collegiate Criminal Court judges said the woman was not reserved and shy as she described after she wore red underwear to a party.
The judges’ decision sparked outrage in the country, with women taking to the streets with red underwear around their thighs.
According to local reports, the 20-year-old woman said she fell unconscious at a party after being told by the 22-year-old man that they were going to get some documents.
But the next day, she was shocked to wake up naked in the man’s bed.
The alleged rapist claims the accusations are just an act of ‘revenge’ against him by the woman.
Judges Lucy Castro Chacaltana, Diana Jurado Espino, and Ronald Anayhuaman Andia said that the woman had misrepresented herself, claiming women who wear red underwear are willing to have sex.
“The supposed personality represented by her (shy) does not relate to the undergarment she used on the day of the incident as this type of women’s underwear is normally used on special occasions leading to moments of intimacy, which gives the impression that the woman prepared or willing to have sexual relations with the accused.”
They also claimed that there were ‘omissions’ in the victim’s testimonies.
Women gathered outside the court while chanting ‘A Rapist in Your Path’ after the decision was made. Some wore red underwear around their thighs while others carried placards with messages: “Listen up, judges. Don’t use my underwear to justify rape.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Replaced!