THE SECOND TRIAL: HOW MORAL SCRUTINY SHAPES SURVIVOR’S LIVES IN SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

In South Asia, women victims of gender-based violence are subjected not only to the trauma caused by the abuser, but also to a second trial, a social judgment that does not only judge their actions, but also character and perceived piety (Niaz, 2004; Karmaliani et al., 2012). It is morally evaluated in two ways, which is why moral judgment sometimes overwhelms the violence, which is the source of psychological damage, and it leads to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social isolation (Masih et al., 2024). This study foreshadows both the emotional and psychosocial aspects of violence, which is why both the legal frameworks and social and cultural processes affecting the experiences of women should be tackled. It is imperative to identify and address the evils of the second trial in order to achieve meaningful justice, support survivors in a manner that they create their own value, and break the vicious cycle in society.