Naypyidaw Victoria rape case
Naypyidaw Victoria Rape Case refers to the rape of a 2-year-and-11-month-old girl, nicknamed Victoria, believed to have happened in Wisdom Hill Nursery School in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, which sparked national outrage. The police filed a case at court against a driver who worked in nursery but DNA evidence obtained during the evidence did not match him.[1] Thousands of people marched to Criminal Investigation Department on 6 July 2019 to show their dissatisfaction with the police handling of the case.[2]
State leaders have verbally instructed officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Myanmar Police Force (MPF) to bring the case before the courts.[3]
Incident
Victoria came back from school, Wisdom Hill Private Pre-School, on 16 May 2019 with injuries that a doctor from a public hospital confirmed were the result of rape.[4] Her mother filed a complaint with police on the following day.[5]
Aftermath and analysis
The government closed seven nurseries schools in Naypyidaw following the case. Many citizens changed their Facebook profile picture to a silhouette of a little girl with the title "Justice for Victoria" to demand justice be served in the case.[4] Rising public pressure on social media forced the government to pledge that the case will be resolved.[5]
On 1 July 2019, Department of Social Welfare shut down 15 nurseries across Naypyitaw that were operating without proper licenses, including Wisdom Hill.[5]
Nationwide protests
Social media users have criticised the lack of haste and professionalism of the police response, underscoring a lack of trust in the authorities in a country still emerging from decades of military rule.[6]
Many people in Myanmar took to Facebook to say Aung Gyi was wrongfully accused, and that the actual culprit was at large.[7] Public suspect two young boys by the raped girl's repeated talks at court but police caught the wrong culprit Aung Gyi.
Yangon
On 6 July 2019, thousands of protesters marched to a police office in Yangon, demanding speedy and transparent justice in a child-rape case that has sparked national outrage. Organisers estimated as many as 6,000 protesters gathered at the Yangon office of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wearing white T-shirts, some printed with the words "Justice for Victoria".[8][9]
Taunggyi
Mandalay
Taungoo
Pyay
Lewe
Naypyidaw
Mawlamyine
Kyaukse
On 14 July 2019, hundreds of protesters marched to a police office in Kyaukse, demanding speedy and transparent justice in a child-rape case that has sparked national outrage. The protesters wearing white T-shirts, some printed with the words "Justice for Victoria".
References
- "Deputy Police Chief Defends Handling of Toddler Sexual Assault Case". The Irrawaddy. 5 July 2019.
- "Thousands protest Myanmar child rape". Bangkok Post. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- Thein, Aung Min (1 July 2019). "State leaders order justice for sexually abused child in Nay Pyi Taw". Eleven Media Group.
- "Myanmar shuts nurseries, makes arrest in rape of 2-year-old". Straits Times. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- "Govt Pledges Truth will be Revealed in Toddler Rape Case". The Irrawaddy. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- "Protesters in Myanmar demand justice after 2-year-old raped". The Washington Post. 6 July 2019.
- "Protesters in Myanmar demand justice after 2-year-old raped". Aljazeera. 6 July 2019.
- "Protesters in Myanmar demand justice after 2-year-old was allegedly raped". The Japan Times. 6 July 2019.
- "Thousands protest amid outcry over Myanmar child-rape case". CNA. 6 July 2019.