‘They were warned’ say Bahraini officials after viral clip of women being groped in pool
Shocking footage of two women being sexually harassed in a pool in Bahrain has stirred outrage on social media. Bahraini authorities reportedly responded saying the two had been “warned” not to join the pool of “bachelors.”
The viral video from August 7 shows the women trying to make their way out of a pool while a dozen men grope and grab them by their bathing suits. The 10-second clip, understood to be from "The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park" resulted in the highest trending hashtag in the country.
The video opened a debate on social media over who was at fault for the incident, with some suggesting the blame was on the victims for putting themselves in that situation in the first place.
فيديوواقعة تحرش جماعي بـ”جنة دلمون” في البحرين تثير الجدل. pic.twitter.com/xr1D1QO4ny
— فيديوهات وروابط الأحداث (@videohat_1) August 7, 2018
One tweeted: "A prostitute deserves only that. Congratulations to all who harassed her."
عاهره وتستاهل الي يجيها وتحيه لكل شاب تحرش في عاهره
— ؛ (@aljr7ar7m4) August 8, 2018
While another user said:
There is another video which shows how the two girls asked for it, they actually went between the men although the security guides clearly told them not to do so. THEY FUCKING DESERVE IT. #جنه_دلمون
— Noora Firas (@NooraFieras) August 8, 2018
But there was a vociferous chorus from people condemning the assault.
To all the people claiming that it is a women’s fault she is sexually harassed because of her clothing, I assure you MANY women have experienced the same treatment fully covered. Defend your sisters don’t tear them down for something that isn’t their fault. #Bahrain#جنة_دلمون
— فاطمــﮧ امــين (@FatimaAmiin) August 7, 2018
A women’s outfit choice doesn’t not convey consent nor it’s the real problem. Teach men about consent, stop victim blaming and START BLAMING RAPE ON THE RAPISTS AND ASSAULTERS. #جنة_دلمونpic.twitter.com/0YncPTJk3L
— Safiya (@timmame) August 6, 2018
#جنة_دلمون the only question on my mind. How did it reach to that point? All of the males in the pool were trying to sexually harass them! Like i’ve never seen such a thing before!
— Hasan almulla🥪 (@7asoon38) August 7, 2018
I will continue to say this until it sinks in: a woman could be COMPLETELY NAKED walking down the street and it still doesn’t justify sexual harassment. #جنة_دلمون
— Mariam Karimi (@Mariam_Karimi) August 7, 2018
Following the outcry, senior officials said the women had been warned against entering the male-only area and dismissed allegations that the women had been sexually harassed, local newspaper the Gulf Daily News (GDN) reports.
— Noora A1 (@NoorozA1) August 8, 2018
"The two women themselves went to an area where there were only bachelors," an official was quoted saying by the paper.
"The matter was reported to the police and the women were warned not to repeat such actions anywhere, anytime.
"The individuals involved in the incident were strictly advised to avoid crowded pools," he said, claiming that the women had not been sexually harassed.
According to the GDN, a team of supervisors intervened to halt the attack.
The paper also reported that security has been ramped up at the water park as a result of the incident.
An investigation was opened in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior in relation to the case. As a result of this investigation, the attackers received a warning, Mashable reports.
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