8216;Ban sharing or even reporting of rape MMS8217;

Media being targetted as the reporting actually deprives woman of her dignity.

The National Commission for Women has recommended a blanket ban on sharing of a rape MMS or its reporting in the media,a Haryana government spokesman said Monday.

Reference to a rape case as being an MMS Kaand MMS scandal continuously by the media deprives the woman of her dignity as she is subjected to commoditisation most of the time, the NCW said. Taking cognisance of media reports about the alleged rape of a 32-year-old woman in Pillukhera village of Haryanas Jind district,in which the three also made a video clip of the incident and circulated it,the NCW constituted an enquiry committee into the incident and also issued certain recommendations to the state governments,an official spokesperson said.

There should be a blanket ban on sharing information by media or otherwise of any such MMS. The MMS once made is generally circulated within the district and sometimes in the state. Generally,a person living in a far off district or state would not come to know of an MMS being made unless it is reported in media. It creates inquisitiveness and people tend to Google read search on the internet the incident out of curiosity. Thus by banning the sharing of information of MMS,the victim will at least be saved from further humiliation,the NCWs recommendations read.

However,the NCW also recommended ample media coverage of trials in rape cases as it can help in demoralising the negative thoughts of uncivilized and immoral males. It would also motivate girls and women who are at receiving end to speak out about any verbal,physical,emotional,harm or humiliation done to them,the NCWs guidelines read.

While seeking to put in place strict guidelines for providing psychological help to the victim, the NCW suggested holding gender sensitization programmes at the level of Gram Panchayat saying continuous dialogue at every level with all sections of the society can help in curbing this menace.

In the last one year,spate of such incidents were reported from various parts of Haryana,where the accused not only allegedly raped minor girls or women but also filmed the incident and circulated it through internet or mobile phones.

Haryana saw 686 rape and gang-rape cases in 2012 and 733 rape cases in 2011.