Delhi school tells rape survivor not to attend classes as she brings ‘bad name’

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to the education department after a complaint by the parents, who say the school has laid a condition that the victim will be promoted to Class 11 only if she stops coming to school.

Parents of a rape survivor have alleged that a private school in Delhi, where their child was studying, asked them not to send her to school as it would “tarnish” the name of the institute.

Students protest crimes against Delhi Police women in the national capital. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to the education department based on a complaint of the parents, who approached the agency.

Parents of the Class 10 student alleged that the school administration has shown “gross insensitivity” towards the girl.

In their accusation, the parents said the school has laid a condition that the victim will be promoted to Class 11 only if she stops coming to school.

The commission did not reveal the name of the school to protect the identity of the girl. Hindustan Times could not, therefore, get a reaction from the school.

Read: Let’s Talk About Rape

“The school administration feels that the name of their school will be spoiled if the victim comes to school everyday. The school also said that the administration would not take any responsibility for the girl’s safety,” the parents said in their complaint to the DCW.

The school administration has been harassing the girl so that she quits on her own, the parents alleged, claiming that the principal is not allowing the rape victim’s friends to sit next to her.

“They have reported that the principal said they should remove their daughter from the school and enrol her in a new one, saying the girl is bringing a bad name to the school,” the DCW officials said.

The parents also alleged that the school is not allowing the girl to use the school bus service that she was earlier using. “The parents have to pick and drop their daughter from the school themselves now,” the officials said.

The DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal maintained that it is a serious matter. “The girl is being punished for no fault of hers. This is a very embarrassing and unacceptable matter in today’s world,” she said.

The DCW has sought a report from DOE within five days.