Egyptian police have reportedly arrested a serial rapist and predator who has been the target of an online campaign against sexual assault; after hundreds of women and men came forward with personal anecdotes of being amongst his victims during the last few years.
This is the worst one yet, you're so strong and so brave to share this pic.twitter.com/EPDjKuPCGf
— gendy (@Ismailelgendy5) July 2, 2020
Social media users have for days used a hashtag with Ahmed Bassam Zaki's name encouraging his victims to report him to officials. This was after several women started narrating their personal experiences being assaulted and raped by the American University of Cairo's alumnus during the last few years.
Two years ago, several AUC students took to a Facebook group exposing Zaki's crimes against them before he threatened to commit suicide, claiming that he's suffering personal issues, which urged the remaining victims to stay silent.
Even if they sue the girls and win the case, we can make his life living hell. Share his face. Let it be seen and known. Money can’t stop this.#المتحرش_أحمد_بسام_زكي pic.twitter.com/9O1XXYBw8e
— Nadine ?️ (@suupernova__) July 2, 2020
He is arrested, but we're not done yet because:
— Touqaaa? (@touqafarghaly) July 4, 2020
1) he is still out of jail so TO ALL HIS VICTIMS PLS FILE COMPLAINTS
2) there are a lot of sick ppl like him
3) victims of assault are still afraid to tell their stories, again my DMs are open#المغتصب_أحمد_بسام_زكي
Additionally, many of Zaki's female victims explained that he had threatened to communicate with their families "telling them that they were in a relationship with him," which is why many of them were hesitant to expose his behavior.
In addition to 150 women, a young man also went in detail talking about Zaki's approach forcing victims into sexual intercourse before he insults and abandons them.
To ALL girls, never put yourself in a position where it's only you and a guy and no one else,hata I'd they're ur cousin aw boyfriend aw WHOEVER make sure en someone is nearby no matter what and that if smth happens someone can hear you pic.twitter.com/BFaJOnhyM3
— gendy (@Ismailelgendy5) July 4, 2020
I'm sorry for every single girl has been harassed..verbal,optical or physical harassment..We have to stop that shit..Talk loudly and be proud of yourself that you are brave..You didn't do anything wrong..You are HERO and STRONG. Everyone is behind you ❤️#المغتصب_أحمد_بسام_زكي pic.twitter.com/qHz4Wxv83l
— فَــٰٱطــمۘــۃ? (@fatma_N03) July 5, 2020
Online voices demanded officials to take action against the sexual predator who, according to victims, lives in a high-class compound with his well-off family.
Reasons why we shouldn’t stop now:
— Laila ?️ (@lailaaa_moh) July 4, 2020
- Arrested ≠ convicted
- We don’t know if the arrest is real or a way to shut us up
- They’re using the Farah Mostafa story to discredit the survivors
- His family are still trying to protect him#المغتصب_أحمد_بسام_زكي #المتحرش_أحمد_بسام_زكي
just wanna remind everyone that this isn't just about #المغتصب_أحمد_بسام_زكي nor a trend that will die in a few days; this is a chance for us to step up and make a change. we can't stop fighting for our rights as survivors. it won't be immediate or even easy but WE WILL DO IT
— ??????? ?️ (@hawaraa_alanany) July 4, 2020
Reacting to news of his arrest, Twitter users urged each other to continue tweeting in support of rape survivors to ensure a just law rule against Zaki.
In an unprecedented move, Al-Azhar Institute's 10th edition of its newsletter included a cover dedicated to incriminating violence against women and encouraging reporting it. The cover included a hashtag that said "reassure your daughters."
