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Sexual Harassment Awareness Month: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
The month of April is dedicated to spreading awareness about sexual harassment and making sure individuals of all backgrounds know how to identify and prevent sexual violence.
The United Nations defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature”, and while the legislations of various nations abide by this definition, the degree of punishment differs from country to country.
Sexual harassment laws in Lebanon
It was not until 2020 that sexual harassment became a punishable offense under Law 205.
According to the law, sexual harassment in a public space is “punishable with up to one year in prison and/or fines up to 10 times the minimum wage”. In the workplace, the prison time is increased to up to 4 years and the fine becomes 50 times the minimum wage.
Due to the nonexistent law enforcement and flexible legislation in Lebanon, women have been discouraged from reporting cases of sexual harassment and rape. According to a statistical study conducted by ABAAD, it was found that 96% of cases of violence against women have gone unreported.
Multiple campaigns have since been launched due to the alarming number of unreported cases, and several NGOs have been working to eliminate all forms of violence against women in Lebanon and the MENA region.
The case of serial harasser Marwan Habib
A primary example of the incompetence of the Lebanese justice system when it comes to prosecuting sexual harassers and protecting victims is the case of Marwan Habib.
Despite the fact that over 50 women came forward to share their traumatizing experiences with Marwan Habib, authorities failed to take any action against him.
According to the many stories, Habib often lurked around Hamra and Bliss Street, forcefully approaching women and sexually harassing them either verbally, physically, or by stalking them on social media. An amazing lawyer named Kareem Majbour had filed a lawsuit against Habib at the time, but Lebanese authorities allowed him to run free and even leave the country.
After a short time in Miami, Florida, Habib was charged with sex battery, burglary, and assault after he had assaulted a woman in her hotel room.
Here are the NGOs dedicated to helping victims of assault
The aftermath of sexual violence goes beyond just prosecuting the criminal but also providing the necessary care to victims and overall protection for the community. Here are a few NGOs that are dedicated to dealing with such matters:
Embrace: a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring access to mental health care as a basic human right. The Embrace Lifeline: 1564.
Aleph: a project working to create platforms that reaffirm agency and autonomy in sexuality and mental health. Check out their sexuality hotline.
https://theaproject.org/sexuality-hotline
Marsa: a Beirut-based sexual health center that provides confidential and anonymous services related to sexual and reproductive health.
Dar Al Amal: an NGO dedicated to the development of the protection of vulnerable children and the empowerment of young women and girls.
KAFA: a feminist secular organization that advocates for law reform against social, economic, and legal patriarchal structures that discriminate against women.
SIDC: an NGO committed to providing equitable access to healthcare and treatment services for youth, namely LGBT, female and male sex workers, people living with HIV, and people who use drugs.
ABAAD: a UN ECOSOC accredited organization with the purpose of ending gender-based violence and providing protection and support services to GBV survivors.
The United Nations defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature”, and while the legislations of various nations abide by this definition, the degree of punishment differs from country to country.
Sexual harassment laws in Lebanon
It was not until 2020 that sexual harassment became a punishable offense under Law 205.
According to the law, sexual harassment in a public space is “punishable with up to one year in prison and/or fines up to 10 times the minimum wage”. In the workplace, the prison time is increased to up to 4 years and the fine becomes 50 times the minimum wage.
Due to the nonexistent law enforcement and flexible legislation in Lebanon, women have been discouraged from reporting cases of sexual harassment and rape. According to a statistical study conducted by ABAAD, it was found that 96% of cases of violence against women have gone unreported.
Multiple campaigns have since been launched due to the alarming number of unreported cases, and several NGOs have been working to eliminate all forms of violence against women in Lebanon and the MENA region.
The case of serial harasser Marwan Habib
A primary example of the incompetence of the Lebanese justice system when it comes to prosecuting sexual harassers and protecting victims is the case of Marwan Habib.
Despite the fact that over 50 women came forward to share their traumatizing experiences with Marwan Habib, authorities failed to take any action against him.
According to the many stories, Habib often lurked around Hamra and Bliss Street, forcefully approaching women and sexually harassing them either verbally, physically, or by stalking them on social media. An amazing lawyer named Kareem Majbour had filed a lawsuit against Habib at the time, but Lebanese authorities allowed him to run free and even leave the country.
After a short time in Miami, Florida, Habib was charged with sex battery, burglary, and assault after he had assaulted a woman in her hotel room.
Update: Marwan Habib’s now charged w/2 sex battery offenses connected to when he allegedly burglarized a S. Beach hotel room & attacked a visiting KC woman in Nov. Charges were added in a hearing Thurs. 1st was charged w/burglary w/assault/battery. He’s in jail w/no bond. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/l24FyVYULs
— Sheldon Fox-7 News (@fox_sheldon) January 30, 2022
Here are the NGOs dedicated to helping victims of assault
The aftermath of sexual violence goes beyond just prosecuting the criminal but also providing the necessary care to victims and overall protection for the community. Here are a few NGOs that are dedicated to dealing with such matters:
Embrace: a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring access to mental health care as a basic human right. The Embrace Lifeline: 1564.
Aleph: a project working to create platforms that reaffirm agency and autonomy in sexuality and mental health. Check out their sexuality hotline.
https://theaproject.org/sexuality-hotline
Marsa: a Beirut-based sexual health center that provides confidential and anonymous services related to sexual and reproductive health.
Dar Al Amal: an NGO dedicated to the development of the protection of vulnerable children and the empowerment of young women and girls.
KAFA: a feminist secular organization that advocates for law reform against social, economic, and legal patriarchal structures that discriminate against women.
SIDC: an NGO committed to providing equitable access to healthcare and treatment services for youth, namely LGBT, female and male sex workers, people living with HIV, and people who use drugs.
ABAAD: a UN ECOSOC accredited organization with the purpose of ending gender-based violence and providing protection and support services to GBV survivors.
