Get Inspired, Be Empowered › Forums › Gender-based Violence › Why we still haven’t been able to stop acid attacks against women? › Reply To: Why we still haven’t been able to stop acid attacks against women?
More than370,000 cases of crimes against women were reported in 2020, as per theGovernment of India. In 2021, there was a 30 per cent rise in complaints of crimes against women. These are not just statistics, this is an eye-opener for all of us that should alarm us about the crimes that women are facing against them which increase every day. There are many instances of violence that go unreported in India. So just imagine the rate of crime against women in India. Cases of acid attacks are all-time high in India and there are so many cases where the culprit doesn’t get the deserving punishment. Acid attacks have catastrophic effects on victims. They cause severe bodily pain and life-long psychological trauma by shattering their primary physical/social identity in an instant. It is estimated that three acid attacks occur in India every week. And yet the acids used in these attacks are readily available in corner stores, despite the Supreme Court urging Parliament to introduce a plan for regulation. What is been done to stop acid attacks? The simple answer is nothing. The Supreme Court initially asked Parliament to regulate the sale of acid in February and has promised to release its own orders if the government fails to meet the July 16 deadline laid out on Tuesday. Hydrochloric acid, which is used as a cleaning solution, can burn through human flesh but is available at any general store. Due to lack of education and the fearlessness of culprits, acid attacks are increasing. Victim-blaming is also a point for increasing acid attacks. In Bangladesh, those charged with committing an acid attack are eligible for the death penalty, and the sale of acids is strictly regulated. Here in India, we are simply doing nothing and acid attacks will rise if we don’t take the necessary actions but the government is blind-eyed.