Esha Gadi, Grade 9
High School Winner
Warrington, Pennsylvania
A Women’s Strife; Transfiguring the Sexual Assault Justice System and Rape Culture in India
According to the NCRB organization in 2016, more than 37,000 rape cases were registered in India, with an astonishing average of 88 cases being recorded per day. Despite the all-time high of rape cases in India, only 23% of these cases were taken to court, and only 7% of the perpetrators were properly prosecuted. India is among the top countries with the highest rates of rape and sexual violence in the world. Considering the severity of this concern throughout India, this topic does not receive nearly enough media attention, social awareness, and government involvement, or attention within the Indian diaspora community. Justice within sexual assault cases has proven to be an ambiguous fantasy for women across India. Moreover, this problem must be treated with an immediate urgency for the safety and welfare of women in India. I firmly believe the primary issue India holds is the marginalized representation of rape and sexual assault victims. They must receive aid from the government, representation throughout the media, and be given justice through the court systems.
During my early childhood, I often visited my mother’s village of Nidamarru. I would always play with Meenakshi, my grandmother’s neighbor.
When I returned to India, 4 years later, I noticed Meenakshi was no longer the person I once knew. She was quiet, reserved, and never attended school. I knew something had happened during the time of my absence.
One day upon questioning her about her newfound sorrow, she opened up about a group of boys who were sexually assaulting her after school. She begged the school to help her, but they failed to further investigate Meenakshi’s case, stating it was a “waste of time.” When her family attempted to file a police report, the local authorities told them to refrain from doing so, and instead suggested she cover up her body to avoid these types of “situations.” I was shocked. Why was Meenakshi being blamed for her sexual assault? And why was she not receiving she help she desperately needed?
Meenakshi was not the only woman to be disparaged of their experience in India.
The Mathura Rape Case made headlines recently as one of the most brutal sexual assault cases in India. Mathura, an indigenous tribal girl was groped and raped by two police officers after her family visited their local police station after filing an FIR. However, the court found the two perpetrators not guilty under reason of no “evidence.” They argued she did not have any marks on her body, indicating no rape. They also stated that Mathura never explicitly stated that she did not consent to intercourse. The police officers were found with scratches on their arms; however, the defense claimed they were the result of another incident at the police station prior to Mathura’s arrival. The case closed soon after, and Mathura went back to her village and has remained unseen since. This caught the attention of many women across India, who rallied in support for sexual assault survivors. However, nothing substantial has been done about this case or the protest following it.
So what can we do to help this growing conflict throughout India?
The Solutions:
The Problematic Nature of FIR’s and How We Can Fix It
First and foremost, FIR’s are undoubtably one of the most fundamental aspects of creating a case, especially for rape and sexual assault. An FIR report is developed by the authorities when they receive commission of a cognizable transgression. The police then compile evidence and testimonies to create a case. Currently, FIR’s and other police reports have not yet been made public. This creates many opportunities to create loopholes and false evidence. This has been shown to take place in various assault cases throughout India. By making these documents public, it requires the government to be more transpicuous and unable to conceal cases and their evidence to the public. This would destigmatize rape and sexual assault due to the number of cases made available to the public.
2. Educating and Rehabilitating Women in India
In addition to FIR’s, educating women in India about their rights is compulsory for sexual assault to be destigmatized in Indian society. ActionAid India is a non-profit organization which specializes in aid for victims of gender-based violence such as sexual assault and domestic abuse. They created a program dedicated towards survivors of sexual assault. Their services include therapy for mental health, medicine, legal help, shelter homes, social rehabilitation, and teaching reproductive health and bodily autonomy. People old and young can help these crucial organizations by donating monthly. A simple donation of five dollars a month could help a women rehabilitate her life. If the Indian government openly supported these organizations, more people would be exposed to these types of organizations, ergo spreading awareness about sexual assault.
3. The Power of Social Media and the Internet
Additionally, we also can use the power of social media and the internet to spread awareness. Social Media has been exceptionally effective in the degradation of harmful but normalized rape culture. Many trends such as the #timesup movement have spread attention about rape culture and sexual assault. People young and old have used these hashtags to share their experiences. Tarana Burke, the creator of the viral #MeToo movement stated that, “Gender-based violence and prejudice has spread throughout society as something normal” (Burke para. 6). I want every woman to know their rights as humans who deserve the utmost respect.” People can simply show their support and spread awareness by posting a photo using the hashtag. This would combat harmful stereotypes around gender-based violence and teach people the toxic ideology surrounding rape culture in India.
4. Petitioning to International Organizations
Finally, The United Nations or more commonly known as the UN, is an international organization which comprises of 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace, and it is dedicated to improving various dilemma’s in our world. The UN vowed “to find ways to prevent violence against women around the world” (Singh para. 7). We the people of the US need to realize the magnitude of power we have as citizens of the US, whose country is a permanent member of the UN. We must ask the council to commence an operation to reduce or even annihilate sexual assault and gender-based violence. With the aid of social media once again, we can spread information about this dire concern to get these organizations attention.
I witnessed the psychological trauma that Meenakshi experienced after her assault. It aches my heart to know that thousands of other women and girls are going through the same thing as Meenakshi, and nothing extensive has been done about this issue which still effects numerous people in India.
We must consolidate to resolve this growing predicament throughout India. There are various aspects of our government and society that we can reform to create a protected space for women across India. It is our responsibility to protect Indian women from sexual assault and gender-based violence for generations to come.
Works Cited
Burke, Tarana. "Tarana Burke Quotes." Quote Catalog, Chris Lavergne, 7 June 2021, quotecatalog.com/communicator/tarana-burke. Accessed 28 May 2022.
Meyers, John, editor. "Total number of Rape Cases Reported in India from 2005 to 2020." Statista, Ströer Media, 3 July 2021, www.statista.com/statistics/632493/reported-rape-cases-india/. Accessed 28 May 2022.
Michel, Maggie. "Six activists who are using social media for change offline." UN Women, 29 June 2018, www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2018/6/compilation-social-media-day. Accessed 28 May 2022.
R, Devyani. "10 NGOs Helping Women to Fight for Their Rights in India." Give India, 21 Sept. 2019, www.giveindia.org/blog/10-ngos-for-women-you-should-support-for-women-rights/. Accessed 28 May 2022.
Shanti, Nishtha. "The Mathura Rape Case of 1972: A Watershed Moment in India's Rape Laws." Feminism in India, Virago Press, 2 Sept. 2021, feminisminindia.com/2021/09/02/mathura-rape-case-1972-watershed-moment-india-rape-laws/. Accessed 28 May 2022.
Singh, Karn Patrap. "Rape cases increasing but involvement of strangers dipping in Delhi, data shows." The Hindustani Times, HT Media, 3 Jan. 2022, www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rape-cases-increasing-but-involvement-of-strangers-dipping-in-delhi-data-shows-101641202057883.html. Accessed 28 May 2022.