Breaking silence, challenging power: Voices against sexual violence in Kerala

By Rosamma Thomas* 

The Women’s Studies Centre of CMS College, Kottayam, collaborated with the Kerala chapter of the Indian Christian Women’s Movement to host “Breaking the Silence to End Violence” on March 20, 2026. Filmmaker Achy Asha Joseph and Reverend Sister Ranit spoke at the event, sharing how they coped with attacks on their dignity.

A gathering of about 100 attended the event, which saw a lively discussion on the anger, shame and fear that women who experience sexual violence must first overcome to pursue justice. Sr Ranit said she would be more comfortable answering questions rather than speaking directly to the audience, so Kochurani, who too was earlier a Catholic nun, posed the questions.

Sr Ranit explained that she was part of the second batch of sisters in her congregation, among the senior-most, and handled the responsibility of guiding younger nuns. When the sexual attacks were occurring, starting from 2014, she was gripped by fear and shame. She began to reach out for help and started protesting. It was when her brother was threatened that the matter was ultimately taken to the local police. Until then, attempts had been made to seek redressal within the church—when the Pala bishop was approached, he said that Franco was his equal and so he could not intervene. This is contrary to what is provided for in the Bible: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Matthew, Chapter 18, Holy Bible)

The matter was next taken to George Alencherry, who was at the time Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. He too, Sr Ranit said, advised her to keep the matter confidential and assured her he would take action. Nothing happened, however, and as Franco got wind of the fact that she was seeking help, he started initiating legal action against her. She was served summons by the police, and her brother too was summoned. It was then that Sr Ranit chose to share letters she had written to church authorities about the assaults she had faced. Once the police received those letters, a case was lodged.

“I had not intended to go to the police. I also did not realise how important it is to use the correct words in legal matters. I would use phrases that I thought were acceptable, since I was speaking with such shame. If I had been wiser in these matters, I might have fared better in the lower court,” Sr Ranit said.

In January 2022, Franco was acquitted by the lower court as the judge found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against him. This ruling is now being appealed in the Kerala High Court.

Dr Asha Achy Joseph, a senior film and television professional who teaches at Sacred Heart College in Kochi, had been a member of the jury at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK-2025) when she was invited by the jury chairperson to his hotel room to discuss the selection of films. Speaking at the event, Dr Joseph said she accepted the invitation but was shocked to be subjected to sexual overtures. She described how demeaning it was to face such an experience despite her long years of work and recognition in the film industry. She also said she had assumed she was beyond such vulnerability, being well over 40 years old.

Dr Joseph spoke of the disbelief among some who heard her account. “One student recently told me that he knows people who think this is a publicity stunt ahead of the release of the next film,” she said, adding that she asked her student whether he believed her. There was no question in his mind that she was speaking the truth.

She also spoke of family ties and the bonds that exist because of one’s place within a larger community, and the role the organised church can play in stifling women and silencing victims. “Why must we continue to bear these bonds?” Dr Joseph asked. She is also a founder member of the Women in Cinema Collective, formed after the sexual assault on actress Bhavana.

Members of the audience pointed out that instead of victims, shame and fear must be borne by those who perpetrate such attacks. Dr Achy Asha Joseph spoke of how, despite reservations in local government, the state assembly routinely sees very few women. This lack of representation could be corrected by political parties even before a reservation law for women is enforced. Better representation in the state legislature, she said, would give higher priority to issues affecting women. A campaign has begun in the state to pose questions to those contesting assembly elections about their stance on sexual violence.

To protect the privacy of victims of sexual assault, the law provides that their names and other identifying details should not be published. Dr Achy Asha Joseph and Sr Ranit, however, have chosen to disclose their identities. “I have a name, I am not a victim or a survivor,” Dr Joseph said.

This transparency is likely to put perpetrators on the defensive. There is also a strong sense of solidarity among women. There was not one person in the audience who expressed doubt about the accounts shared by the two speakers. Transparency and solidarity among women may help ensure greater accountability and challenge entrenched attitudes that enable such violence.

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*Freelance journalist