DANG, Sept 18: On April 16, six years old Reshma (name changed) of Tulsipar-11 was raped by a 13 years old boy. The victim was raped when she had gone to her neighbor's home to play. The family members of the victim were preparing to file a complaint but the perpetrator's family mounted a massive pressure for a reconciliation.
Fearing that the incident might harm their social standing and affect their daughter's future, the victim's family members accepted the money offered by the perpetrator's family and agreed to keep quiet, according to neighbors.
Break taboos to reinstate rape victims
On February 5, the parents of a three years old of Tulsipur filed a complaint with the police stating that their daughter had been raped. Following the complaint, police arrested a 13 years old boy. After being persuaded by the perpetrator's family, the victim's family agreed for the release of the boy, stating that they will reach a solution through mutual understanding.
Similarly, on March 11, a complaint was filed accusing an 18 years old boy of Ghorahi-13 of raping a minor on February 27. Police arrested the accused the same day. However, he was released on March 19 after reconciliation with the victim's family.
These are just some representative cases showing how victims of rape are silenced with money. The families of well-off perpetrators pay money to the families of the victims to keep quiet. Usually, the girls of poor and backward families are prone to rapes as perpetrators find it easier to shut their mouth with little amount of money. "Almost all culprits try to handle rape cases through monetary dealings," said women rights activist Radha Paudel, adding that this is the reason why all rape cases don't come to light.
"There are cases where the victims suddenly change their statements due to political and other pressures," said Paudel, adding, "This is all because of monetary dealings." Sometimes, the victims' families file complaints after the perpetrators refuse to pay the negotiated amount.
