London - A video of a
young woman being sexually assaulted by a gang of teenage boys
on a bus in Casablanca has sparked outrage in Morocco,
reigniting a bitter debate about violence against women in the
Muslim country.
The video, which was posted on social media on Sunday, shows
four boys sexually molesting a woman while laughing, tearing her
clothes off and insulting her in Arabic.
The woman – who the authorities said had learning
difficulties – is seen in tears, crying for help, while neither
the bus driver nor any of the passengers intervene.
Sexual harassment and abuse of women is rife in Morocco
where a national survey found that nearly two-thirds of women
had experienced physical, psychological, sexual or economic
abuse.
Earlier in August a video showing a mob of men hounding a
young woman on a street in Tangier caused uproar in the media.
On Monday the Moroccan authorities said they had arrested
six boys aged 15 to 17 for their "presumed implication in the
woman's aggression" and put them under investigation.
While the video sparked widespread condemnation on social
and local media, some users accused the woman of having
"provoked the men with indecent clothing".
One man wrote on Facebook that "I condemn the act but cover
yourselves up, this one was easy to undress."
Moroccan charity Don't Touch My Child called for any
witnesses to come forward "to bring to justice this barbaric
horde who shamefully attacked a young women".
Public transport company M'Dina Bus condemned the incident
and said it was collaborating with authorities in the north
African kingdom, which is trying to attract investors and
tourists by presenting itself as a safe haven.