The Supreme Court’s recent rape conviction ruling has triggered strong criticism. The National Commission on the Status of Women raised serious concerns. The verdict converted a rape conviction into a fornication charge.
The NCSW said courts ignored prosecution evidence and earlier findings. It warned that consent cannot be assumed from silence or reporting delays. The commission stressed that trauma affects how victims respond.
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Moreover, the NCSW urged survivor-centered judicial reasoning in sexual violence cases. It called for stronger legal protections and gender-sensitive interpretations. The commission also demanded more specialized courts and trained staff.
Meanwhile, the majority judges cited delayed reporting and lack of healed injury marks. They reduced the sentence from 20 years to five years. The court reclassified the offense under fornication laws.
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However, a dissenting judge rejected this reasoning. He said delays do not weaken a rape conviction. He stressed fear, threats, and power imbalance often silence victims.