Rapists rape people, not outfits: Anoushey Ashraf

VJ and actor Ashraf recalls groping incident at a market

Pakistan has been rattled by the horrific gang-rape case on Lahore motorway, and in light of the same, many people have come forward to share their stories to shed light on the epidemic of sexual harassment common in public spaces. 

Actor and VJ Anoushey Ashraf also took to Twitter to share her own experience with harassment in a space as open as a market, saying, "The one time I had my behind pinched at the market was when I was covered from head to toe, dupatta on, zero makeup and oil in my hair." 

She went on to add her take on rapists' mentality, which is not from the truth at all. "Rapists rape people, not outfits," wrote Ashraf, urging people to not resort to victim-blaming or shaming. "Save the behayai rant for another day, please. Stop deviating and victim-blaming!" she said. 

The ONE time I had my behind pinched at the market was when I was covered from head to toe, dupatta on, zero makeup and oil in my hair...RAPISTS rape people, not outfits. Save the behayai rant for another day please. Stop deviating and victim blaming! #MotowayIncident

— Anoushey Ashraf (@Anoushey_a) September 13, 2020

The motorway incident has shaken the country, leading to numerous country-wide protests over the weekend calling for swift action against the perpetrators with many rallying for capital punishment to send a strong message. #HangRapists and #MotorwayIncident have been top trends for the past week on Twitter as people continue to speak up against the terrifying crime. 

Many have also called for the removal of CCPO Lahore Police who resorted to victim-shaming on national TV, saying the victim could've taken another route for her journey or checked her fuel tank. Ashraf's revelation also seems directed at this victim-blaming mentality. 

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