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When rape becomes a crime

Senegal in West Africa recently introduced much tougher sentences for rape. Has this change in the law been effective in deterring sexual violence against women?

Senegal in West Africa recently introduced much tougher sentences for rape. Until 2019 it was deemed a misdemeanour rather than a serious crime and anyone convicted was often released after a few years, or even a few months. Myriam Francois meets rape survivors and both female and male campaigners to see if the new law is changing the lives of women for the better. Myriam hears how the stigma around rape has in the past prevented many women from coming forward to report sexual violence and how the police are opening new facilities to support women. She visits the country’s first Senegalese run hostel for victims of domestic violence. And she meets the pop star who caused a storm when she revealed her own experience of sexual assault.

Producer Bob Howard

(Image: Woman walking alone in St. Louise, Senegal. Credit: roripalazzo.com/Getty)

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27 minutes

Last on

Thu 26 May 2022 19:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 26 May 2022 01:32GMT
  • Thu 26 May 2022 08:06GMT
  • Thu 26 May 2022 12:32GMT
  • Thu 26 May 2022 19:06GMT

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