LUCKNOW, Oct. 11 -- A woman's clothing, past relationships, marital status or social media activity cannot be used to blame her for a sexual offence allegedly committed against her, the Uttar Pradesh Police has directed investigators, citing the need to ensure that survivors are not subjected to further trauma through insensitive and prejudicial language in the criminal justice system.

A 20-point directive issued by director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna on September 30 bars investigating officers from treating a woman's previous sexual history as evidence of consent. Knowing the accused, accompanying the person somewhere, remaining silent or not physically resisting an alleged assault cannot, by themselves, be interpreted as co...