Arogya Times
A new regional study has found that access to compensation for survivors of sexual violence remains inadequate across South Asia, despite legal reforms in several countries.
The report, released simultaneously on Tuesday in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives by the South Asian Movement for Accessing Justice (SAMAJ), examines compensation mechanisms and access to justice for survivors of sexual violence across the region.
According to the study, Nepal has one of South Asia’s strongest legal frameworks for protecting victims’ rights under the Crime Victim Protection Act, 2018 (2075 BS). However, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence continue to face significant barriers in obtaining effective reparations and compensation.
The report identifies Nepal as one of only two countries in the region with notable good practices, particularly its provision allowing the state to compensate victims through a Victim Relief Fund when offenders are unable or unwilling to pay. Nevertheless, procedural complexities, limited interim financial assistance and barriers to justice continue to prevent many survivors—especially those from marginalized communities—from accessing compensation.
The study also highlights persistent shortcomings elsewhere in the region. In Bangladesh, only 6.8 percent of rape cases reviewed resulted in court-ordered compensation, while the country lacks a national victim compensation fund. Pakistan, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka also face legal and implementation challenges that limit survivors’ access to timely and effective compensation.
The report urges South Asian governments to establish independent national victim compensation funds, strengthen interim financial assistance, improve enforcement of court-ordered compensation and ensure that information on compensation schemes is accessible to all survivors.
Arogya Times
