In brief
In Baghdad, activists like Sarah Jassim capture harassing incidents on social media to build evidence, but she now lives in fear of death and acid attacks. The legal system is slow and often thwarted by cultural stigma, leaving many victims unsupported. High-profile cases show the lack of protective laws and police accountability, while women struggle to file reports without facing family or community pressure. Despite the dangers, activists remain resolute, demanding stronger legislation and societal change.
In a bustling Iraqi city, a woman’s shout to a driver in a car turns into a viral clip that exposes a case of sexual harassment. The footage is posted by activist Sarah Jassim on Instagram, where she collects such videos to give women a documented claim they can use in court, or simply to shame the offender.
Jassim says the camera has become a "weapon" – a way to record evidence that might otherwise be ignored. However, the cost has been high: she has been threatened with death, with acid, and accused of indecency for encouraging women to speak up. Now she rarely leaves her home, preferring to spend her days with her dog for safety.
She calls for new legislation that would criminalise harassment and gender‑based violence – terms that are currently missing from the Iraqi penal code. “Recognition is the first step to protection,” Jassim notes, adding that abusers must be deterred by law and accountability.
A related story of “honour killings” involves a woman, Amal, who claimed her ex‑husband repeatedly raped their daughter at gunpoint. Amal’s case illustrates how victims often face disbelief and a system that rewards perpetrators through loopholes, such as lighter sentences when the offender marries the victim.
The broader picture is harsh: Iraq has few shelters for abused women, and many survivors prefer to stay silent to avoid family backlash or police indifference. An interior ministry spokesman confirmed that only about 300 sexual violence reports come to police each year, suggesting many cases go unreported due to social, cultural, and institutional barriers.
Despite these challenges, activists like Hanaa Edwar and Sarah Jassim refuse to back down. “With each crackdown, our resolve only strengthens,” Jassim says, demonstrating that while the road is fraught with danger, the pursuit of justice continues.
Additional reporting by Salma Khattab. For support in the UK, visit the BBC Action Line.
