NUST Administration Criticised For Callous Denial Of Rape Allegations

The administration of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has received criticism for its insensitive denial of rape allegations on its campus.

On Tuesday, there were reports on social media that a sexual assault allegedly took place on the premises of NUST, and that the administration was trying to silence the victim along with putting pressure on students not to talk about it.

In response to the rape allegations, the official account of NUST in a tweet indicated that these reports were fabricated accusations and that propagating such incorrect news was a horrendous and shameful act. It added that this was an attempt to defame the institution.

The administration’s statement has received criticism for being insensitive. The Women Democratic Front condemned the statement of NUST’s administration regarding the sexual violence and rape allegations that recently came to light.

In a tweet from its account, the WDF stated that it was condemnable that an educational institute released such a statement, calling it absolutely disappointing.

Absolutely disappointing statement from @Official_NUST regarding the sexual violence & rape allegations.
It is condemnable that an educational institute released this statement instead of presenting the inquiry report. https://t.co/KQy5cdI9cG

— Women Democratic Front (@wdf_pk) December 24, 2019

Journalist Hamna Zubair stated, “What kind of academic institution spreads the incorrect belief that ‘false rape allegations’ are the ‘most’ ‘shameless’ act, i.e. more shameless than an alleged rape itself?” She added that she was thoroughly disgusted by the tone-deaf statement of NUST’s administration.

What kind of academic institution spreads the INCORRECT belief that 'false rape allegations' are the 'most' 'shameless' act, ie. more shameless than an alleged rape itself?

Thoroughly disgusted by this tone deaf statement by @Official_NUST.

Show us proof of your investigation. https://t.co/VAqVXzNyLi

— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) December 24, 2019

A user, in reference to NUST’s response, said that this was the reason why Pakistan ranked so low when it came to women rights. She added that the university’s administration was projecting a ‘positive image of Pakistan’ by going on a rant about ‘false’ rape accusations.

This is why Pakistan ranks 164/167 on the Women, Peace and Security Index – just above Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. @Official_NUST projecting a "positive image of Pakistan"™ out here by going on a rant about "false" rape accusations. https://t.co/xd1AugIXcn

— Mavra Ghaznavi (@MavraGhaznavi) December 24, 2019

Another user stated that this response was not coming from a man on the street, but this victim blaming was coming from the university administration.

Remember this isn’t coming from a man on street or an uncle on couch, this blatant victim blaming is coming your way straight frm the UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION. If this is how NUST,an “educational” institute’s dealing with rape culture, imagine the cognition of the benighted mass https://t.co/gQidOyEJJc

— Aliza Ansari (@aliza__ansari) December 24, 2019

One user emphasised that NUST was under the belief that false allegations were more horrendous than the possibility of rape itself.

Let's start with the thought provoking fact that NUST thinks false allegations are the most horrendous part rather than the possibility of rape itself. https://t.co/5fwhyYyugu

— Hafsa Jawad (@jawad_hafsa) December 24, 2019

Development policy expert and founder of Women on Wheels, Salman Sufi, said that it was problematic for any institution or individual to immediately defame the victim instead of presenting themselves for an immediate and thorough investigation.

It is problematic for any institution or individual to immediately defame the victim instead of presenting themselves for an immediate & thorough investigation.This behavior seriously damages victims ability to seek help & justice. #NUST should allow an immediate investigation.

— Salman Sufi (@SalmanSufi7) December 24, 2019