Trigger Warning: Mentions of gender based violence
“From every wound, there is a scar, and every scar tells a story—a story that says, ‘I survived.’’’ This sentiment is not just a quote but a reflection of the experiences of thousands of women in society.
Crimes against women have been a persistent and deeply concerning issue worldwide. Despite advancements in various fields, the shadow of violence and discrimination still looms large, affecting the lives of countless women. From physical assault and sexual harassment to domestic violence and human trafficking, women face a myriad of threats that compromise their safety and well-being.
“Our mythological literature, the Mahabharata, itself talks about harassment. Instead of learning from the mistake, people often blame women and consider them to be the ones always responsible for conflict,” says Deepshika Raj, an activist working at Jagori Women’s Resouce Centre.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022, a total of 4.45 lakh FIRs were filed, averaging almost 51 cases every hour. This marks a 4% rise compared to the 2021 statistics, where 4.28 lakh cases were reported. In 2020, the number stood at 3.71 lakh cases, indicating a continuous upward trend in crimes against women.
“I still remember the date; it was November 5th, around 12:30 pm. I was returning from my coaching when a man eve-teased me. Confronting him led to an argument. I was scared as no one came forward to help me; they all just watched. Later, I informed my father about the incident, and all I got in response was, ‘This must be your fault,’” said Richa Singh, a 23-year-old resident of Bihar.
Richa was stopped from going to coaching by her parents for one week. “In a place like Bihar, we girls already have to struggle to get an education. Lucky are those who get permission from home to study, but then it’s the outside world of men that doesn’t let us grow. We cannot even complain because, in the end, society will blame us,” said Richa.
In every corner of the world, women continue to face the harrowing reality of crime, with many incidents going unreported, perpetuating a silent epidemic that thrives in the shadows. The reasons behind unreported crimes against women are complex and multifaceted, ranging from societal stigma and fear of retaliation to systemic failures in the justice system
“Right from land disputes, religious enmity, caste discrimination, to politics, women have always been targeted. First, a woman is raped by misogynist men and then by the society,” said Alekhya Soni. an activist of the Nirmala Foundation.
In July 2023, during an ethnic clash in Manipur, two women were paraded naked, and one of them was gang-raped. In June 2023, a 20-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly murdered after being gang-raped in Khajuwala, Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, while she was on her way to attend a computer coaching class. In July 2022, a tribal woman in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna district was set ablaze over a land dispute. These are just a few headlines; countless cases await justice.
Religious Based Crimes and Politics
The ineffectiveness of the legal system emboldens perpetrators and also prolongs the trauma of survivors. When justice is delayed or denied, it creates a culture where offenders feel immune to consequences. This environment has perpetuated a cycle of increased crimes against women, eroding the trust in the legal system to protect and deliver justice.
Bilkis Bano, the rape victim and survivor of the Gujarat riots in 2002, still awaits justice. The accused were arrested in 2004, two years after the crime. However, all 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment for the gang rape and murder of 14 members of her family walked out of Godhra sub-jail in 2022 after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy.
The Gujarat government cited “good behaviour” as the reason. In justifying their “good behaviour,” the Gujarat government even claimed there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by the convicts while they were serving time in jail or when they were out on parole.
According to an investigative report by NDTV, between 2017 and 2021, at least four witnesses in the Bilkis Bano case registered complaints and FIRs against the convicts. Despite this, they were freed on August 15, 2022, and were greeted with garlands and sweets like heroes outside a jail in Gujarat.
“The current government has set an example for all criminals that if the perpetrator is Hindu and the victim is Muslim, Christian, SC, ST, or OBC, they can easily get away. What more can we expect from a compromised legal system when our country is controlled by goons and criminals themselves?” said activist Sulekha Devi of the Maitri Foundation.
On January 18, female wrestlers who brought pride to India convened at Jantar Mantar to protest against WFI Chief Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation.
Previously, Brij Bhushan was acquitted in more than 30 criminal cases. These cases were filed under various sections of the IPC, including murder, and attempted murder, and under the UP Gangsters Act, and Arms Act, among others.
“Sports bring pride to a country. If the head of any sports organization faces criminal charges, how can the environment be safe for women? If the Prime Minister does not speak up against injustice and support women who bring pride to the nation, how can we expect the nation to be free of crimes against women?” said Khushi Neware, a volunteer of the Maitri Foundation
“People accused these women wrestlers of seeking attention. This is the mindset of our male-dominated society. Regardless of the steps taken towards development or the promises made by ministers, our country cannot become developed with such a mindset,” said, a kabaddi player at Amity University.
An event anchor, Anjali Sharma says, “This is not only the situation in the sports field but also in every other sector, ranging from the entertainment industry to the IT sector and beyond; women face sexual harassment everywhere.”
Failure of Laws and Acts
In 2013, The Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act in India, was enacted ensuring safer workplaces for women. However, the number of registered cases has raised concerns. In the past year, there has been an alarming 101% rise in unresolved sexual harassment cases at India’s largest companies, indicating persistent challenges. Reports by Forbes India and live mints show India’s top publicly traded companies saw a significant surge of 70% in sexual harassment complaints during the fiscal year 2022-23.
After filing complaints, women often face additional challenges. The implementation of the act itself encounters hurdles, including confusion over its provisions and challenges in Internal Committee processes. The aftermath of complaints can lead to strained workplace relationships, professional repercussions, and a lack of support for the complainants, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions and a supportive ecosystem within organizations.
“I served as an intern at News10India in Gurgaon, operating from an office situated in a basement area. During my internship, I encountered uncomfortable situations where the HR personnel consistently sat beside me, despite having an assigned cabin. The inappropriate behaviour escalated, including unwarranted comments on my lipstick shades and instances where HR blocked my path to the washroom. On one occasion, he touched my shoulders and placed his hands on his hips. Regrettably, I felt uncertain about whom to confide in or report these incidents to,” said Anjali.
Anjali had to terminate her internship, and afterwards, she faced unsettling messages from her HR, encouraging a meeting while also receiving inappropriate comments about her appearance. This traumatic experience has instilled a deep fear in her, making her apprehensive about working anywhere.
According to a survey conducted on February 24, 2023, only 8% of employees are aware of the PoSH Act,
“The POSH Act is useless just like any other law in the Indian justice system. Nothing remains the same after complaining. You can’t secure a new job if people get to know that you are the Complainant. People always judge and blame women instead of encouraging and supporting them,” said activist Pooja Sinha of Shanti Sahyog.
Misuse of Technology
As our nation progresses technologically, the integration of AI has become increasingly prominent in cyber crimes against women. Recently, renowned actresses such as Rashmika Mandan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Kajol, and Alia Bhatt fell victim to deepfake videos. These incidents involved the malicious morphing of the actresses’ faces into those of other models in explicit content.
Other crimes that women fall prey to include cyber blackmail, threats, cyber pornography, the dissemination of obscene sexual content, stalking, bullying, defamation, morphing, and the creation of fake profiles.
In 2019, the total number of cybercrime incidents surged by 18.4%, yet the cases targeting women witnessed a more alarming spike of 28%, as revealed by the National Crime Record Bureau. The data for 2021 unveiled that out of the 52,974 reported incidents, 20.2% (10,730) were crimes against women.
Notably, Karnataka led the states with the highest number of instances at 2,243, followed by Maharashtra (1,697) and Uttar Pradesh (958) in 2021. The primary motivations behind cybercrime incidents in 2021 were fraud (60.8% – 32,230 cases), sexual exploitation (8.6% – 4,555 cases), and extortion (5.4%). (“Cybercrime Rises by 5 per Cent in 2021, Charge-Sheets Filed in Just a Third of Cases: Government” – BusinessLine)
Telangana emerged as the state with the highest percentage increase in cybercrime instances, soaring by 282% from 2,691 in 2019 to 10,303 in 2021. Other states with significant cases included Uttar Pradesh (8,829), Karnataka (8,136), Maharashtra (5,562), and Assam (4,846).
The surge in crimes against women is closely linked to the pervasive influence of social media. Instances of memes objectifying women and trolling, especially for activities like driving, have become rampant. Stalking, another prevalent issue, compounds the problem.
However, the challenge lies in the procedural inadequacies when victims try to file complaints. Ankita Gauri, an activist with the Sakshi Foundation, highlights the hurdles in the process.
“Initiating a complaint at a police station leads to a handover to the IT cell, elongating the resolution time to 15-20 days. Even online complaints yield limited results, with a lack of responsiveness from authorities.”
Contribution of Movies and Series
“When a nation is exposed to highly misogynistic films such as “Kabir Singh” and “Animal,” it raises concerns about the direction in which societal values may be heading. These movies depict harmful behaviours towards women, promoting the idea that violent and controlling behaviour is synonymous with passionate love,” said Alekhya.
Adding further to the statement she said, “These narratives contribute to the normalization of disturbing actions like marital rape, infidelity, verbal abuse, and physical violence against women. Additionally, they play a role in shaping the perception of an “alpha male” among the youth, further influencing attitudes and behaviours in relationships. Addressing the impact of such films is crucial in fostering a healthier and more respectful societal mindset along with healthy relationships.”
In 2022, a tragic incident unfolded as 28-year-old Aaftaab Poonawala, reportedly inspired by the television series “Dexter,” was accused of murdering his 27-year-old live-in partner, Shraddha Walker. According to police reports, Poonawala admitted to the crime, stating that he intended to “silence her,” but tragically, he ended up strangling Walker.
Following the act, Poonawala went on to dispose Walkar’s body and placed the parts in small black poly bags, allegedly drawing inspiration from the show’s main character, Dexter Morgan, who exhibits homicidal tendencies. This distressing incident highlights the profound impact media can have on individuals and underscores the need for a broader societal conversation on the potential consequences of such influences.
While BDSM is a perfectly healthy and consensual kink suitable for exploration by individuals of all genders, some media portrayals mischaracterize it as a form of violence against women. Without open and informed discussions about kink, such misconceptions may be perpetuated in society at large.
Dr. Shweta Sharma, a clinical psychologist says, “Movies like ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ often labelled as romantic films, implant the notion in people’s minds that pain and torture are integral components of pleasure. These cinematic representations contribute to the formation of fantasies where causing harm to women is perceived as enjoyable.” Dr. Sharma emphasizes the importance of putting an end to such content, underlining the potential harm it may inflict on societal attitudes and perceptions.
Sulekha Devi said, “What can one expect from citizens when leaders themselves engage in the objectification of women? Karnataka BJP MLA M. P. Renukacharya remarked that rape cases are on the rise due to certain dresses worn by women, suggesting that these outfits ‘excite’ men. This is not limited to just ministers; thousands of men share similar thoughts. If uneducated and illiterate individuals occupy positions of influence, the crime rate against women will likely increase.”
Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of such a statement. In 2014, Mulayam Singh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), disagreed with giving the death penalty for rape. He said, “Boys will be boys; they make mistakes.” In 2022, Shanti Dhariwal, a cabinet minister in Rajasthan, stated that the state has the highest number of rape cases because it is predominantly inhabited by men.
These instances are just a few examples of the countless misogynistic and sexist remarks made by ministers. Such statements from leaders contribute to the promotion of misogynistic attitudes and reinforce male dominance in society. “In the guise of independence, these young girls freely wander the streets in short dresses. They themselves invite crimes,” said Mahor Verma, a resident of Bihar.
“Mobile phones are the primary culprit in making our girls shameless. If they dress culturally and stay at home, do household work, then only they can be safe. Outside work is meant for men only,” stated Papu Bansal, a tea stall owner in Gurugram.
The thoughts of men regarding women are disheartening, but at the same time, there are men who oppose misogynist ideas.
“Women should be treated equally like men. If everyone gets a proper education, only then women in our country can be safe. Laws are made and implemented by men. Even the justice system is dominated by men. Our country needs more women participation in these areas,” said Rakesh Tiwari, a corporate employee in Gurgaon.
“On one side, we pray to goddesses, and on the other side, women are treated badly. This is hypocrisy. Women should be treated with respect. They are the reason for new life. The only way to make society safe for women is to hang every rapist to death, not life imprisonment. Only the death penalty can bring a change,” said Vashisht Sharma, a resident of Gurgaon.
Marital Rapes and Domestic violence
One notable reason for the increase in crimes against women is the influence of movies, songs that objectify women, and series. Mass media has a significant impact on the thought process of every individual. While mass media is crucial for disseminating information, it has also become a curse in the context of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and attitudes.
Anushi Shikkar, an activist in the Shakti Foundation, expressed concern over the film ‘Animal,’ asserting that it promotes marital rape. With such messages circulating, ensuring the safety of women even within their homes becomes a challenging task. Shikkar lamented the perceived ineffectiveness of laws, citing a recent decision by the Allahabad High Court stating that men can’t be charged if the woman is above 18 years old.
“This disheartening trend in the legal system raises questions about its commitment to women’s protection. The distressing reality that movies like “Animal” may contribute to real-life instances of marital rape is completely being ignored by the court.” She further expressed occasional wishes to be born a man, noting the perception that only males can lead their lives fearlessly on this planet.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-20 brought to light that one-third of women in India aged 18-49 undergo spousal violence, with around 5%-6% reporting incidents of sexual violence. Among married women, 5.6% faced physical coercion for sexual intercourse, 2.7% were compelled to engage in undesired sexual activities, and 3.7% experienced forced sexual acts through threats of physical harm.
The findings also suggest that nearly 90% of victims of intimate partner violence choose not to disclose their experiences, driven by factors such as the fear of stigma, potential retaliation, and reliance on their spouses. As per the data collected until 2021, the NFHS indicates that 82% of married men exhibited sexual violence towards their wives.
Based on NCRB data, a significant portion of crimes against women in India under the Indian Penal Code involved cruelty by husbands or their relatives, comprising 31.4% of the cases. Other prevalent offences included the kidnapping and abduction of women (19.2%), assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty (18.7%), and rape (7.1%).
In 2022, Delhi recorded the highest incidence of crimes against women in the country, with 14,247 cases, resulting in a rate of 144.4—considerably surpassing the national average rate of 66.4. Notably, Delhi had 14,277 cases in 2021 and 10,093 cases in 2020.
Breaking down the figures, Uttar Pradesh led with the highest number of FIRs in crimes against women in 2022, totalling 65,743 cases, followed by Maharashtra (45,331), Rajasthan (45,058), West Bengal (34,738), and Madhya Pradesh (32,765). These five states collectively accounted for 50.2% of the total cases reported in India last year, according to the NCRB.
“Crimes against women will only decrease with active participation by women in parliament, a ban on misogynistic movies, and trolling memes. I never post any photos on social media, fearing misuse. For a woman to live in India is to constantly be in fear about safety. You never know when you might be subjected to inappropriate touches in public transport or face inappropriate comments in the workplace or society,” said Alekhya.