The world over, legal systems are failing victims in cases of sexual violence and rape. In these cases, what should be a simple roadmap to justice takes twisted turns until the victim is blamed and the rapist is cleared. A mixture of lax laws and skewed perceptions of accountability often leave these victims shunned, shamed, and without recourse against their rapist. Fueled by this harsh reality, ABAAD, a local nonprofit that seeks to empower the marginalized, launched the campaign #ShameOnWho in order to challenge the endemic victim shaming in Lebanese society. ABAAD is calling for more severe penalties against rapists—penalties that actually hold the rapists, not their victims, accountable for their actions. Law and culture Through a series of initiatives, including a viral social experiment video, a stunt at the Beirut marathon, and an immersive play open to the public, the organization grabbed much needed attention and debate on the
Mariam Shour has a BA in Media and Communications with a minor
in Creative Writing from the American University of Beirut. She writes
on social activism and Lebanon.
