The National Council for Women Rights (NCWR) will file a report to the prosecutor-general regarding public statements inciting to sexually harassing and raping women.

Well-known conservative and controversial lawyer Nabih Al-Wahsh said on TV that sexual harassment and rape would be “a national duty” to fulfil against girls who “do not have self-respect” or “wear ripped pants”.

NCWR head Maya Morsi denounced such claims. A statement published by the council on Sunday described them as disgraceful, in violation of the constitution which guaranteed the protection of women from all forms of violence.

The council said it filed a complaint to the Supreme Media Council against the lawyer – whose job is to defend people’s rights – and the channel on which his statements were broadcast. Al-Wahsh faced criticism on social media and TV hosts as well.

Al-Wahsh persists, trying to defend himself through a statement to the local Al-Watan website on Thursday, Al-Wahsh used the same expression and said his daughter would also deserves that if she decided to wear jeans that are ripped from the back, maintain that this would be an invitation to sex.

Ripped jeans were subject of controversy in recent months, with arguments from public officials that it should be banned in certain places such as universities.

Meanwhile, sexual harassment remains insufficiently fought despite its criminalisation in Egyptian law.