Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

234 PRACTITIONERS GUIDE No. 12
violence against them “for fear that they will be humiliated,
stigmatized, arrested, deported, tortured or have other forms
of violence inflicted upon them, including by law enforcement
officials”. 630
The CEDAW Committee has underscored that States parties
should act to prevent such abuses and should “promote a
culture and a social environment whereby justice-seeking by
women is viewed as both legitimate and acceptable rather than
as cause for additional discrimination and/or stigmatization”. 631
An extra level of persecution of victims occurs in situations
where a failure to convict a perpetrator for rape leaves the
victim open to criminal charges relating to sex outside
marriage.
Delays in reporting should not undermine the credibility
of victims
The UN General Assembly has called on States not to draw any
adverse inference from any delays between the alleged offence
and the reporting of that offence. 632
The UN Handbook on Legislation for Violence against Women
highlights a number of potential reasons for delays in reporting
violence, including:
Fear of stigmatization;
Fear of humiliation;
Fear of not being believed;
Fear of retaliation;
Financial or emotional dependence on the perpetrator;
Distrust in criminal justice mechanisms;
630
CEDAW General Recommendation No 33, above note 569,
paragraph 10. See also paragraphs 8-10 for intersectional forms of
discrimination and situations that women find themselves in that
cause a factual obstacle to their enjoyment of their human rights.
631
Ibid, paragraph 35(d).
632
Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures, above note 559,
paragraph 15(e).