Gender-based Violence
Beyond Belief: How the "Corroboration Rule" in Malawi Obstructs Justice for Victims of Sex Crimes and Discriminates Against Women and Girls on the Basis of Sex—A Call for Legislative Change
The corroboration rule is a common law rule of evidence and criminal procedure that requires prosecutors trying sex offence cases to have independent evidence in addition to a victim’s testimony, even if that testimony is credible and shows beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the sex crime. This heightened evidentiary standard for victims of sex crimes is based on the stereotype that women and girls are apt to lie about being raped and that their word alone—no matter how clear, convincing, or credible—should not be enough to put a rapist behind bars. Because of the rule, too many women and girls in Malawi are not treated equally in the criminal justice system, and rarely are those who sexually abuse them brought to justice in court.
Trapped: Cycles of Violence and Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons in Guyana
In 2017-2018, the HRI Fact-Finding Project investigated cycles of violence and discrimination in against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Guyana.
Uniformed Injustice: State Violence Against LGBT People in El Salvador
In 2016-2017, the HRI Fact-Finding Project investigated institutional violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in El Salvador.