Human Rights Watch has announced that at least 91 cases of sexual violence occurred over the past four days in Tahrir Square, with several cases of rape being reported.
The Deputy Middle East Director of HRW stated, “The rampant sexual attacks during the Tahrir Square protests highlight the failure of the government and all political parties to face up to the violence that women in Egypt experience on a daily basis in public spaces.”
According to HRW, there were five attacks on June 28th, 46 on June 30th, 17 on July 1st, and 23 on July 2nd.
The most common situations reported by women always started when a woman would suddenly be encircled by groups of young men and separated from her friends or family. In certain cases, women are dragged and taken to other areas where the sexual violence continues. In multiple cases, the attacks lasted close to an hour, leading to several hospitalizations.
HRW has also stated that women have reported being beaten with metal pipes, sticks, chairs and attacked with knives. HRW has condemned the “lack of interest by the government” and stated that such attacks are led by a culture of impunity.