In this viral video, two girls with open hair are walking in a crowded marketplace. These two young women thought they were just walking through a busy street, but within seconds, they were surrounded, thrown into the marketplace, and harassed.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Two girls with open hair and different skin tones are walking through the crowd. They surround the girls, throw them into the marketplace, and harass them.
It is called taharrush (mass sexual assault), which is more common in the Middle East.
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) June 19, 2025
What is Taharrush, and Why is it Reported in the Middle East?
Taharrush or taharrush gamea (Arabic for collective harassment) is a phenomenon in which groups of men encircle women in populous public places and expose them to verbal intimidation, molestation, or, in extreme situations, sexual violence. The term came into international focus following several prominent reports of cases in the 2000s and 2010s, predominantly within Middle Eastern and North African nations.
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Origins and Social Factors
Although harassment of women in public places is not unique nowadays, the term “taharrush” came up in Egyptian media in the 2000s. Mass public events-festivals, protests, and religious gatherings-occasionally allowed cover for such attacks. Many experts hold that the mix of crowded areas, poor law enforcement, and dominant autocratic thinking helped create this trend.
Why is it more common in the Middle East?
A number of factors are cited by experts:
Weak government policy: In a few nations, police were slow to react or to respond against big groups, enabling wrongdoers to go unpunished.
Gender Inequality: Limited opportunity for women and age-old limitations placed on female independence have, in certain areas, created atmospheres where harassment has become commonplace.
Crowd Cover: Popular marketplaces, festivities, or political rallies provided anonymity for perpetrators.
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Is Taharrush a Crime?
Yes. Under the law, harassment and sexual assault are offenses in nearly all Middle Eastern nations. Egypt, for instance, prohibited sexual harassment in 2014, making it an act punishable by fines or imprisonment. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and most other Gulf states similarly have strict harassment statutes.
Where Has It Been Reported?
Instances of taharrush have most frequently been reported in Egypt, specifically in Tahrir Square in Cairo during demonstrations. Other instances have been reported in Morocco, Sudan, and the Gulf states. The phenomenon received international media coverage after the incidents were also being reported in Europe, especially in Germany in the 2015–2016 New Year’s Eve celebrations in Cologne, where men in groups most of whom were of North African or Middle Eastern descent were involved.
