Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment/Assault condemns the attacks on women in Tahrir Square on Friday January 25th, the failure of political groups to secure the square and unprofessional media conduct

On Friday the 25^th of January 2013, in the midst of large demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the beginning of the Egyptian revolution, horrific sexual crimes were committed against women in and around Tahrir square. Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment/Assault (OpAntiSH) received 19 reports of group sexual assaults against women in the area, which included the use of life-threatening violence in some cases. The group was able to intervene in 15 cases, managing to rescue women from the attackers and escort them to safe houses or hospitals to receive the necessary medical attention.

These attacks represent a startling escalation of violence against women in Tahrir Square in terms of the number of incidents and the extremity of the violence which took place. In some cases blades and other weapons were used against women, OpAntiSH volunteers, and other people who tried to intervene. This phenomenon requires urgent attention and treatment, and is linked to the broader social problem of endemic and daily sexual harassment and assault of women.

OpAntiSH expresses extreme disappointment with revolutionary groups and political parties which call for demonstrations in Tahrir square and use the large turnouts for their political bargaining, but neglect their responsibility in securing the square and addressing these repeated sexual assaults against female participants. This reflects a reprehensible attitude of indifference towards  ich included the use of life-threatening violence in some casese area, the violence  included attempts to disable nst women in violent sexual crimes which aim to terrorize women and prevent them from participating in demonstrations.

Despite the participation of some passersby, OpAntiSH views these assaults as inseparable from the long list of repressive methods which have targeted Egyptian activists. OpAntiSH stresses that continuing to ignore the dangers women face in the ongoing struggle for justice in this country jeopardizes not only women's participation itself but the very success of the revolution. At a time when the very presence of women in Tahrir square carries the same level of risk and danger as approaching the front lines of battle, the women who insist on exercising their rights to participate in demonstrations should be respectfully viewed as a source of courage and inspiration. We are dismayed by the dismissive attitude taken by most political movements to their injuries.

OpAntiSH condemns the unprofessional way in which some of the media has dealt with the attacks, violating women’s privacy and ignoring the sensitivity of the issue. A number of media outlets have insisted on publishing the personal details of women who were attacked last Friday. This threatens the physical and psychological recovery of women by creating added pressure from media attention, and the unauthorized public dissemination of their personal information.

The group also condemns the position taken by the National Council for Women. A lawyer working for the Council disseminated inaccurate information regarding the whereabouts of women who had been assaulted, and circulated personal information about one of the assaulted women without her permission.

Women who survive these painful experiences face social judgment and derogatory comments and questions about their attire or their reasons for being in the street. Sexual violence is surrounded by a culture of si