A rape victim has provided testimonies recently at the Chitwan District Court without fear. She said she was relieved as the testimonies were recorded away from the glare of the defendant.

“I could not provide testimonies freely in the court due fear from the defendant and others. I shared the ordeal in the court without hesitation through audio-visual inside a room,” said a victim after a recent court hearing.

The initiation of “in camera” hearing at a witness protection chamber by the Chitwan District Court has brought much-needed relief to victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape, trafficking, domestic abuse. It is a judicial proceeding held to protect victims and witnesses from public exposure. The proceeding takes place whereby the victims and witnesses would sit inside a room and record their statements as the accused remained seated behind a curtain in the same room. The judges ask questions through live video streaming and the victims and witnesses answer accordingly.

Most of the victims of rape, trafficking and domestic violence were frightened to record their statements in front of the perpetrators. But the victims have overcome the problems after the initiation of the service, according to Judge Tek Narayan Kunwar at the court. “After the court started audio-visual hearing service to record statements, victims feel safe and secured,” he said.

According to Kunwar, the perpetrators used to put pressure on the victims to change their statements by issuing threat in the past. The court faced difficulties to convict the suspects owing to change of statements. “The victims and witnesses have not changed their statements in most of the cases after the court started the service,” he added.  The district court has recorded testimonies of about 30 sensitive cases such as rape, trafficking and domestic violence since starting the in-camera service a month ago. 

Keeping in view the possible security threats, the court has also arranged security to the victims. The security personnel escorted the victims and witnesses when they return home after providing the testimonies.