The “rampant” assaults show the “failure of the government and all political parties to face up to the violence that women in Egypt experience on a daily basis,” said HRW, Sky News reported.

Some of the women were attacked with knives, metal chains, sticks and chairs, according to reports.
It is thought that the perpetrators are thugs taking advantage of the square’s lack of security.

“These are serious crimes that are holding women back from participating fully in the public life of Egypt at a critical point in the country’s development,” said Joe Stork, HRW’s deputy Middle East director, as quoted by Sky News.

HRW called on Egypt’s politicians and leaders to “condemn and take immediate steps to address the horrific levels of sexual violence” in Tahrir Square.