UN study looks into discrimination against rape victimsThe United Nations (UN) in Vietnam on March 21 launched a study on the criminal justice system response to sexual violence in Thailand and Vietnam, shedding new light on discrimination against rape victims. Participants at the launch of the UN study in Hanoi on March 21 (Photo: daidoanket.vn)The study, “The Trial of Rape: Understanding the criminal justice system response to sexual violence in Thailand and Vietnam”, is the first such comparative study in the Asia-Pacific region. The study found that most of victims in Thailand and Vietnam face a number of difficulties and challenges in accessing justice, which is partly attributable to attitude and discrimination. The findings of this study reveal that the main factors in reported cases of rape contradict numerous commonly held myths and beliefs about rape. These findings have important implications for how justice systems handle sexual crimes and interact with victims of sexual violence.