Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
Life

Wearing Hijab In Court Can Make You More Credible Witness: Study

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 Feb, 2019 08:49 PM

    Sexual assault victims wearing the hijab or niqab are viewed more positively when testifying in court than uncovered women, reveals a study that aimed to investigate the importance of being able to see the face to judge credibility among witnesses, along with the importance of religious garments.


    Contrary to expectations, the study led by researchers from the Lancaster University in the UK and Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, found that "positive biases" are created when women testify in court with either their hair covered (the hijab) or their face and hair covered (the niqab).


    The reason for the bias could be because the religious garments may signal that the wearer is more honest because of a positive view of religion.


    The Muslim garment may dispel the common rape myth that the sexual assault victim was "asking for it" because it represents sexually conservative attitudes that are thought to disapprove of pre-marital or casual sexual encounters, the researchers explained.


    The study involved four videos featuring an actress which were shown to 120 participants. Two videos where the woman wore either a niqab or hijab, a third where she wore a balaclava and the fourth where her face and hair were uncovered.


    In each video, a woman was filmed on the witness stand providing her testimony about a sexual assault she allegedly experienced.


    The highest rating for credibility was given to the women wearing the niqab, followed by the hijab, then the balaclava and lastly the women with no face or head covering who was judged the least credible.


    "Contrary to our prediction, participants rated victims wearing a Muslim garment as more credible than those who did not wear a Muslim garment. Also contrary to our prediction was the finding that covering the face fully did not have a significant effect on credibility ratings," said Meagan McCardle of Memorial University.


    "Our findings lead to the provisional conclusion that whether or not a sexual assault victim chooses to cover her face while testifying in court does not seem to have any effect on credibility ratings," added Professor Brent Snook from the varsity.

    MORE Life ARTICLES

    Decoded: Why Mosquitoes Bite You

    Decoded: Why Mosquitoes Bite You
    Wonder why you receive more bug bites than others around you? It is because, mosquitoes can rapidly learn and remember the smells, researchers have found.

    Decoded: Why Mosquitoes Bite You

    Blame Air Pollution For Irregular Menstrual Cycles

    Blame Air Pollution For Irregular Menstrual Cycles
    The growing level of pollution in the air raises the chances of irregular menstrual cycles among teenage girls, a new study led by an Indian-origin researcher has warned.

    Blame Air Pollution For Irregular Menstrual Cycles

    Just Google It

    Just Google It
    As you navigate your path in the world of search, here are some tips

    Just Google It

    Chinese Scientists Break Key Barrier By Cloning Monkeys

    Chinese Scientists Break Key Barrier By Cloning Monkeys
    Chinese scientists have cloned monkeys using the same technique that produced Dolly the sheep two decades ago, breaking a technical barrier that could open the door to copying humans.

    Chinese Scientists Break Key Barrier By Cloning Monkeys

    New Year, New You

    New Year, New You
    S​elf-esteem improves by changing both your thoughts and behaviours; and you must continue practicing them to maintain a healthy love for yourself. 

    New Year, New You

    Meet the Sekhon Family

    Meet the Sekhon Family
    Jodhpreet and his family are living a content life in Canada and have successfully overcome the struggles they faced during their early days in the country. 

    Meet the Sekhon Family