The Supreme Court’s updated “Judgments and Gender” framework promotes trauma-informed, survivor-centric and gender-sensitive justice by preventing victim-blaming, protecting identities, using inclusive legal language and ensuring dignity and equality for all
NEWS: The Supreme Court released an updated framework, “Judgments and Gender: Sensitivity and Compassion in Writing Judgments”, replacing the 2023 Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes.
ABOUT
- Promotes trauma-informed and survivor-centric justice.
- Focuses on preventing secondary victimisation during trials.
KEY FEATURES
- Victim-Centric Justice: Judges to prevent humiliating or irrelevant cross-examination.
- Identity Protection: In-camera proceedings, video conferencing and pseudonyms/initials.
- Trauma-Informed Approach: Avoid adverse conclusions based only on delayed reporting, lack of injuries or inconsistencies.
- Inclusive Language: Replaces patriarchal and victim-blaming terms with legally appropriate language.
- Legal Precision: Uses terms like “sexual assault” instead of physiological or moralistic explanations.
- SOGIESC Framework: Promotes dignified treatment of LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse persons.
SIGNIFICANCE
- Strengthens gender-sensitive and survivor-centric adjudication.
- Promotes dignity, equality and access to justice.
- Helps reduce stereotyping and secondary victimisation in courts.