Cairo's Tahrir Square has seen over 91 cases of sexual harassment since before the outbreak of 30 June protests, according to a report by US-based NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW).
“Egyptian officials and political leaders across the spectrum should condemn and take immediate steps to address the horrific levels of sexual violence against women in Tahrir Square,” said the organization which quoted anti-sexual harassment groups as sources for its report.
Five women were sexually attacked on 28 June, 46 on 30 June, 17 on the first of July and 23 on the second day of the month, the report claimed.
“Human Rights Watch is aware of cases in which police officers and hospital officials have shared information with the media about the identity of victims without their consent, a violation of their right to privacy and in some cases a security risk for the victims,” the report said, adding that some victims were hospitalized after undergoing assaults that lasted for nearly an hour.
“In some cases, the attackers have assaulted other women and activists with sticks and knives for trying to rescue the victims," HRW said.
Some foreign reporters had reportedly been subject to sexual assaults over the past few days during demonstrations. Some protesters joined groups, including Tahrir Bodyguard and Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment, to protect females during rallies in Tahrir and the surrounding area.
