Gynaecologists Challenge Kerala High Court Decision Requiring Sexual Assault Survivors to be Examined Exclusively by Gynaecologists

Justice Devan Ramachandran highlighted a concerning trend of increasing instances of boys falling prey to sexual violence compared to previous years. This observation came during the deliberation of a petition challenging the practice of permitting only female gynecologists to examine rape victims. The High Court has acknowledged that men can also be victims of sexual assault.The Kerala High Court made the observation on Wednesday that males are also victims of sexual assault.The court said that the practice is set to help victims, who are mostly women or girls. “Sexual assault is not confined to girls, it happens to boys also. It is rare, but it is possible”, the court added. Generally, ninety-nine per cent of sexual assault victims for some reason are women,” Justice Devan Ramachandran observed. Questioning the rationale behind the petition, he added: “I don’t know why you should be concerned. We are trying to give maximum support to the victim. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the victim.”*Increase In POCSO Cases Where Boys Are Victims:*The judge also observed that minor boys are vulnerable to sexual assault. “Here, you have assumed that the victims are women. You should have qualified that the victims you refer to are women victims alone. There are men, young boys being abused. I have seen a couple of cases recently.Eventually, the High Court agreed to hear the matter on March 5.