El-Sisi Visits Victim of Sexual Assault in Hospital

Egypt’s new president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi brought flowers and an apology on Wednesday, June 11, to a hospitalized woman who was viciously assaulted and sexually harassed during the weekend celebrations marking his inauguration. El-Sisi told the woman that he was there to tell her and every Egyptian woman that he is sorry about what happened to her.

Last week, Egyptian authorities declared sexual harassment a crime carrying up to a 5-year prison sentence. Prior to that, the laws on abuse were vague and did not criminalize sexual harassment referring to such offenses as “indecent assault”. El Sisi vowed to take “very decisive measures” to combat the crime.

The National reports that sexual assaults have been on the rise in Egypt since Hosni Mubarak was ousted three years ago. Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against Mubarak, is the most common site of the attacks and they usually occur when there are large crowds.

The Interior Ministry announced on Monday that seven suspects between the ages of 15 to 49 had been arrested in connection with the sexual harassment that occurred during Sunday’s celebrations. Three have been charged with sexual assault under the threat of force and attempted rape it was later revealed in a statement that gave graphic details of the attack.