ABSTRACT
In this chapter, Flavia Agnes’ interview in 2014 by Anuapama Katakam sits alongside an interview in 2022 by Amy Rayner. The readers of the chapter will hear directly from one of India's leading female activists about the work being done at Majlis Legal Centre and Rahat in Mumbai to provide support to women and children who have or are experiencing domestic and sexual violence in India. Part One features extracts from an interview in 2014 where Flavia discusses her work towards changing the way the legal system treats victims of rape. She argues for putting the victim's needs and care central to the process. In Part Two, Flavia Agnes reflects upon the incremental changes achieved over the last decade and updates readers on the latest data and legal reforms. She illustrates via a recent case study how Majlis Legal Centre and Rahat support women to move from being victims to becoming survivors. Flavia comments on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted women's safety and looks to the future and what must be achieved in the next decade, in particular, questioning patriarchy and patriarchal norms. She reflects on her personal ethical framework that has empowered her over four decades and multiple projects to bring about positive changes in legal and social contexts for women and children.
