World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Iraqi activist faces threats for documenting sexual harassment
Iraqi women’s rights activist Sarah Jassim posts videos documenting alleged harassment on behalf of women who report abuse.
She says the recordings can preserve evidence for legal cases and may help hold alleged perpetrators publicly accountable.
Jassim says she has received death threats and threats of acid attacks, and now barely leaves home for her safety.
Many women in Iraq say they face social stigma and blame, while pursuing legal action can be difficult and the outcome uncertain.
A UN committee has described violence against women and girls in Iraq as widespread and under-reported.
The committee called for stronger laws, including changes to rules that can excuse rapists who marry their victims and reduce sentences for so-called honour killings.
Jassim is calling for laws that explicitly criminalise harassment and gender-based violence, which she says are not named in Iraq’s penal code.
Iraqi women’s rights activist Sarah Jassim says she has received death threats and threats of acid attacks for posting videos documenting alleged sexual harassment.
She shares videos on Instagram on behalf of women who report abuse and harassment.
Jassim says the recordings can preserve evidence for legal action or shame alleged harassers.
She says one video led to the arrest of a policeman accused of harassing schoolgirls.
Jassim says she now barely leaves home and calls for laws that explicitly criminalise harassment and gender-based violence.
- Who
- Sarah Jassim, an Iraqi women’s rights activist, says she faces threats.
- What
- She posts videos documenting alleged sexual harassment and says she has received death threats and threats of acid attacks.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Baghdad, Iraq.
- Why
- Jassim says the videos document evidence, support possible legal action and can shame alleged harassers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
She says a video of a policeman accused of harassing schoolgirls led to his arrest.
Jassim says she received death threats and threats of acid attacks.
Jassim says she barely leaves home for her own safety.
- Activist
- Sarah Jassim
- Location
- Baghdad, Iraq
- Platform
- Threats reported
- Death threats and threats of acid attacks
- Arrest
- A policeman accused of harassing schoolgirls was arrested after a video was posted, according to Jassim
What people are saying
Your camera is your weapon
I have received death threats, and I have also been threatened with acid attacks
Recognising the problem is the best way to address it
No-one will hear you if I kill you
Sources
Related news
Trump says Russia and China are not helping Iran
Saudi Arabia reports new missile and drone threats as Riyadh airport stays shut
Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted two missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait
Cable explosion disrupts Istanbul metro services
Trump criticizes Houthis over increased attacks on Saudi Arabia
Artistic evening in Jeddah highlights Saudi-Egyptian solidarity
Houthis blame Saudi Arabia for airstrikes in Yemen
Phone review in 14-year-old’s death finds gun photos and AI queries
Burnham says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard likely directed Fairford plot
Turkey urges global action on energy security and climate ahead of COP31
Four people killed in shooting during beet harvest in Turkey
