Avoid terms like 'helpless woman', 'lost her chastity' in rape judgements: SC panel to judges

The Supreme Court released an expert committee report recommending a sensitive approach by judges deciding cases involving sexual offences. The panel said judges handling rape and sexual assault cases must avoid terms such as "prosecutrix", "helpless woman", "lost her chastity" and "outraged her modesty". It added courts should use survivor-centric terms and focus on consent and bodily autonomy.