Global Judicial Integrity Network Updates Special Edition 'Views' Review | Page 26

VIEWS
is implementing the project “New Standards
for Integrity and Accountability: Recognizing
Corruption’s Impact on Women.”
On this basis, we organize workshops for
judges in different judicial departments in
Morocco to introduce the phenomenon of sexual
corruption where sexual favours are requested
in exchange for services. This form of sexual
corruption, labelled by the IAWJ as ‘sextortion,’
manifests itself in universities, employment
settings (both in the public and private sectors)
and in courts. Through discussions between
judges and prosecutors during the workshops,
it became clear that the most important
challenge is reporting. Shame and fear of
stigma, in addition to the lack of laws, lack of
witnesses and difficulty to prove claims make
the victims bear their harm and keep silent
instead of reporting.
Among the recommendations proposed at the
end of the workshops was the need to address
corruption within the judiciary itself. It was
suggested that sextortion be added as an
immoral act in the Code of Judicial Conduct
and in the Bangalore Principles of Judicial
Conduct specifically under the commentary on
the principle of integrity.
Finally, thanks to all the means of reporting
that have become available to Moroccan women
victims of corruption, I can only tell them: “do
not be ashamed, do not be afraid to report,
defend yourselves and denounce those who
exploit you, in the judiciary we seek integrity!”
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