XXX X Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) As I have indited in the earlier orders, the primary objective of keeping this matter pending is to have certain general guidelines formulated, so that the victims of sexual offenses and child abuses - be that a man, women or a child - is able to live life with dignity, without being re-traumatised, subsequent to the horrendous event.

(2.) Though I do not propose to speak in detail about the various facets of the psychological distress of a victim of sexual abuse and such other at this time - which I will do in the judgment, it will be suffice to say that unless he/she is saved from further trauma on account of the investigative and litigative processes, the trust of the citizens on the system would fail.

(3.) With the afore in mind, I had earlier suggested that the State think about introducing a 'Toll Free Number' into which a victim can call in strict confidentiality, so that a First Information Statement (FIS) or a First Information Report (FIR) can be registered in terms of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C). It was also suggested by this Court that, either on the obtention of the information from the victim or on the registration of the FIR, as the case may be, a Victim Liaison Officer be immediately assigned, who will literally act as his/her next friend and advice him/her as to the future course, without being subjected to any harassment in the processes.