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New police unit to combat violence against women in Egypt

June 19, 2014
Women with red paint on their bodies, symbolizing blood during an anti-sexual harassment rally. Photo: REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

A new police department will be formed to tackle crimes against women, including sexual assault, harassment and other forms of violence. The department, which was announced by Egypt’s Minister of Interior, will receive and investigate claims of violence against women and take all necessary legal action to bring the perpetrators to justice, reported state media. The move will also see personnel from the department providing security at crowded public locations, including public transport systems, sporting venues, markets and more. The formation of the new department comes after Egypt’s newly elected President vowed to end violence against women after at least four faced horrific incidents of sexual assault in Tahrir Square. In a hospital visit to one of the victims of a sexual assault that was filmed and caused outrage across Egypt and the world, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi apologized to “every Egyptian woman” and vowed that “we as a nation will not allow this to happen ever again.” Two sentenced to prison for harassment Meanwhile, an Alexandria court has sentenced two people to six months in prison with labour for two separate sexual harassment incidents in the coastal city. According to…


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