Not ‘victim’, but ‘survivor’: Supreme Court issues first-of-its-kind guide on gender-sensitive language in sexual offence cases

The Supreme Court has advised judges and lawyers to avoid words and phrases that stigmatise survivors or reinforce patriarchal stereotypes. The court said words used in judgments and courtrooms can shape public perception which makes it crucial to adopt survivor-centric terminology.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a first-of-its-kind handbook calling for a complete overhaul of the language used in sexual offence cases. It has cautioned courts against relying on stereotypes, victim-blaming expressions and outdated terminology that can prejudice survivors and undermine justice.

The guide, prepared by a committee constituted by the Supreme Court, seeks to standardise gender-sensitive language across the judicial system and recommends replacing several commonly used expressions with survivor-centric alternatives.

Changing stereotypes through language

Releasing the handbook, the court said language is not merely a matter of style but has a direct bearing on the fairness of........

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