Pakistan rape law comes into effect amid outcry over victim blaming

Activists hail new law that will speed up rape trials, protect the identity of victims and create a sex offenders register

Pakistan's president has approved a much-awaited new law requiring the establishment of special courts to speedily conclude trials of people charged with raping women or children, a move hailed by rights activists.

The law, which must be approved by parliament to remain in effect, requires courts to conclude the trials of alleged rapists and issue verdicts within four months. It also prohibits the disclosure of the identity of rape victims and will create a national sex offenders register.