Massive Online Outrage Following Gang Rape in Sudan on New Year's Eve

A horrific rape attack that took place in Sudan on New Year's Eve has triggered strong campaigns in solidarity with the young victim, who was attacked by 20 different men amid celebrations of 2021 in Khartoum.

Online people have come together after a young woman reported having been attacked by 20 armed sexual predators while in a car with one of her relatives, before raping her. According to several social media sources the crime took place in Nile Street, which is one of the most vibrant streets in the Sudanese capital. 

As soon as the news broke, social media users launched the hashtags #itsnotokay and #نحنا_معاكي (We are with you), expressing their deep sympathy with the victim and calling on authorities to tighten punishments carried out against such predators.

Moreover, internet activists condemned attempts by conservative voices that argued against the victim, saying that "young women should not be present alone in the streets late at night." Tweets heavily called on such voices to stop blaming the victim and to stop supporting anti-women statements that blame rape on anything but the sexual predators who commit it.

Additionally, some tweets quoted verses from the Quran showing that the religious discourse often referred to by victim shamers "fully stands against such crimes, providing no excuses whatsoever."

Several Sudanese artists also posted artwork that highlighted the shocking incident, in an attempt to show solidarity with the rising social movement calling for more rights for women.