Rape Cases in India: A System Failing Victims and Shielding Criminals – Global Parallels
- Kate Altamirano
- Oct 14, 2024
- 2 min read
Written by Anum Malik In India, sexual violence, particularly rape, is both a human rights crisis and a societal blight.
High-profile cases, like the 2012 gang rape of Nirbhaya in Delhi, brought unprecedented attention to the issue. The collective outrage was palpable, leading to large-scale protests and demands for justice reform. Yet, a decade later, India continues to struggle with how it handles rape cases, how it protects survivors, and how effectively it punishes perpetrators. In this episode, we dissect the complexities surrounding rape in India and draw parallels to how similar patterns of injustice are echoed globally.
The Scope of the Crisis: Disturbing Statistics
To understand the depth of India’s problem with sexual violence, we need to look at the data. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 32,000 rape cases were reported in 2021. This statistic translates to 88 rapes per day. However, these numbers barely scratch the surface. Many cases go unreported due to societal stigma, fear of reprisal, and the daunting prospect of navigating a hostile legal system.
Studies suggest that a significant number of rape survivors in India never report their experiences. They fear being ostracized, blamed, or even pressured to marry their attacker. Cultural norms that value female "purity" and the importance of family honor often silence survivors, especially in rural areas. Social worker Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research, explains, “For many women, the trauma of social repercussions is worse than the crime itself. Their bodies may heal, but the scars of shame, isolation, and humiliation remain.”
When cases do reach law enforcement, the journey to justice is long and arduous. Data from 2020 revealed that the conviction rate for rape in India is only 28.6%, despite over 90% of rapists being known to their victims. This low rate of conviction highlights systemic failures at every level e.g.policing, prosecution, and judiciary. With over 170,000 rape cases pending in Indian courts as of 2021, the sheer backlog further impedes justice. Cases can take years, even decades, to resolve, leaving survivors in limbo.
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