India’s Enduring Crisis of Sexual Violence: A Disturbing Trend

As I am typing these lines, a haunting statistic is going on in my mind: at this very moment, that is in this two hours, approximately 20 women in India are going through the pain of rape or molestation; as India experiences an average of one rape every six minutes, or nearly 90 rapes per day .

This number is not just a cold figure—it embodies a harsh and unforgiving reality, exposing the deep-seated darkness that pervades our nation. Each tear shed and each silent scream is a cry against the horror of rape. The agony these women endure runs deep, leaving wounds that may never truly heal. Their suffering serves as a powerful reminder of the vulnerability and injustice that women continue to face in our society.

Voices of Anger:

The recent surge in rape incidents has ignited widespread protests and outrage across India. The RG Kar Medical College incident, where a female intern was reportedly harassed, assaulted, and murdered, has sparked particular fury both domestically and internationally. Women have taken to the streets, demanding justice and reclaiming their right to safety.

Similarly, the brutal attack and gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in the Dhing area of Nagaon district, Assam, has sent shockwaves through the nation. These harrowing events have led to widespread condemnation and calls for stricter laws and enhanced protection for women.

Paradoxically, despite the heightened awareness and public outcry, the number of reported rape cases in India has continued to rise. This alarming trend underscores the deep-rooted nature of the problem and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address it.

A Disturbing Trend

The number of reported rape cases in India has been alarmingly increasing. While official figures may not reflect the full scope of the issue, social media reports indicate a staggering 900 registered cases in August 2024 alone. Although this number remains unverified, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.

Statistics:

Rajasthan:

• 165,875 cases registered under IPC and SLLs from January to June 2024
• 10.28% rise in women kidnappings
• 8.03% increase in rapes of women and minor girls
• 2,758 cases of adult rape
• 794 cases of minor rape
• 51.79% of crimes against women are still under investigation
• 11 recorded instances of rape followed by murder of adult women in 2024

Assam:

• 580 rape cases reported up to July 2024
• 40,065 cases registered over the years.

Rape Cases in India (reported) from 2020-2022:

• 2022: 31,677
• 2021: 28,046
• 2020: 32,033
• Average Rape Cases per hour (India): 6 (estimated)
• Molestation Cases (2022): 12,852
• Suicides by Rape Victims (2022): 144

Beyond Rape: The Widespread Threat of Sexual Violence

Rape is not the sole form of sexual violence afflicting India. Molestation, harassment, and various other forms of sexual assault are also prevalent. Recent data indicates a significant rise in reported molestation cases in recent years. This troubling trend highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle the root causes of sexual violence.

Also Read: High Number of rapes low convictions the alarming gap in justice for victims

A Paradox: The Safest Cities

While the NCRB in 2024 declared Kolkata, Chennai, Coimbatore, Surat, Pune, and Hyderabad as the six safest cities, these claims starkly contrast with the numerous rape cases reported in these very locations. For example:

1. Kolkata: The brutal rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in April 2024 sent shockwaves through the city.
2. Chennai: A female student was raped by a fellow student at a college in May 2024.
3. Coimbatore: A 59-year-old man was arrested for raping a three-year-old girl in August 2024.
4. Surat: A 21-year-old woman was gang-raped by two men in August 2024.
5. Pune: Multiple rape cases have been reported, including the repeated assault of a 14-year-old girl and the gang-rape of a 13-year-old girl.
6. Hyderabad: Several rape incidents have occurred, including the assault of an HR trainee, a techie, and a woman passenger on a moving bus.

These examples represent just a fraction of the countless incidents in each city.

The Grim Reality of Child Sexual Abuse

The rising number of rape and molestation cases involving minors is especially alarming. According to various reports and data from social media, in 2024, India experienced a disturbing trend of crimes against minor girls both at school and at home. In the first quarter of 2024, there were 4,356 reported cases of rape against schoolgirls. Additionally, 2,567 cases of molestation and 1,456 cases of sexual harassment were recorded during the same period. Alarmingly, 70% of these crimes occurred in the victims’ homes, emphasizing the danger girls face even in their own environments. Furthermore, 60% of the offenders were known to the victims, including family members, neighbors, and acquaintances. These figures highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety measures, awareness initiatives, and support systems to protect schoolgirls and prevent such crimes.

Dishearteningly, as I am writing this, with my utter disappointment, horror and grief, I found out the situation of Jodhpur Rajasthan. Amidst the celebration of Janmashtami on 27th August 2024, 15-year-old girl gang-raped in Mahatma Gandhi hospital. And more shocking fact is this is 4th such incident in the district within 24 hours.

A Call for Action

The evidence is clear: India is grappling with a crisis of sexual violence. While authorities have taken some steps to address the issue, much more remains to be done. It is crucial to strengthen laws, enhance law enforcement, and provide better support services for victims. Additionally, we must confront the cultural and societal factors that contribute to sexual violence.

Beyond the Numbers

While the statistics are alarming, they cannot fully convey the human toll of rape and sexual violence. Each case tells a unique story of trauma, resilience, and the quest for justice. As a society, we must understand that sexual violence is not just a crime; it is a violation of human dignity. It is a blemish on our collective conscience.

15 days and 25 severe cases

• August 6; Uttar Pradesh:An 11-year-old girl in Ballia was raped, with the attack recorded on video and subsequently shared online.
• August 8-9; Uttar Pradesh: A 13-year-old girl in Amethi Uttar Pradesh, was sexually assaulted by her father. The case was reported on August 15, delayed due to the girl’s mother passing away two days later.
• August 9; Uttarakhand: A nurse in Uttarakhand was horrifically raped and murdered, with her disfigured body discovered the same night as the incident in Kolkata. The suspect was apprehended on August 14.
• August 11; Punjab: Four members of a family from Uttar Pradesh allegedly gangraped a married woman living in the Tibba area of Ludhiana here after her brother eloped with their daughter and solemnised marriage against their will. The accused travelled to Ludhiana from Uttar Pradesh, sexually assaulted the woman and videotaped the act on camera before fleeing.
• August 12; Uttar Pradesh: On August 12, a 57-year-old government official allegedly raped a 6-year-old Dalit girl inside her house in  Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.
• August 12; Uttarakhand: In Uttarakhand, a teenager was gang-raped by a bus driver, conductor, and several others. The 16-year-old girl was attacked by five men.
• August 12; Bihar: A 14-year-old girl in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, was gang-raped and killed after she refused to marry one of her attackers. Her body was discovered outside the village, showing clear signs of violence.
• August 13; Rajasthan: A 63-year-old widowed woman was allegedly gang-raped and robbed by two men belonging to her village in a tribal area near Abu Road in Sirohi district.
• August 14; Tamil Nadu: In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, a 14-year-old girl was gang-raped by her friends near her residence.
• August 14; Mumbai: In the Saki Naka area of Mumbai, a 9th-grade student assaulted a 3-year-old girl.
• August 14; Odisha: An arrest was made in Odisha involving a resident doctor accused of raping two patients at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
• August 15; West Bengal: In Siliguri, West Bengal, a minor was allegedly gang-raped by three boys on the 78th Independence Day.
• August 16; Madhya Pradesh: In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a minor girl was raped at home by someone who had been blackmailing her.
• August 17; Uttar Pradesh: A 14-year-old rape victim in Sonbhadra died after being assaulted by her teacher in December of the previous year.
• August 17; Madhya Pradesh: In a village in Beohari, Madhya Pradesh, a 69-year-old man raped a minor girl.
• August 17; Rajasthan: A 17-year old girl, who was raped allegedly by a 17-year-old at Kumbha Nagar of Chittorgarh on 17th night, had to be operated upon by doctors in a government hospital after her condition deteriorated due to excessive bleeding.
• August 18; Rajasthan: In Jodhpur, Rajasthan, a 3-year-old girl was kidnapped and raped by a garbage collector.
• August 18; Karnataka: In Bengaluru, a 22-year-old woman was raped by a biker who offered her a ride after a party.
• August 18; Uttar Pradesh: In Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit nurse was raped by a doctor. Three people have been arrested, including another nurse and a ward boy who forced the nurse into the doctor’s room.
• August 18; Delhi: In Delhi, a 22-year-old man raped an 11-year-old girl, luring her with the promise of watching television.
• August 18; Andhra Pradesh: In Andhra Pradesh, a minor girl was raped and tortured by someone who deceived her under the guise of love.
• August 19; Tamil Nadu: A man was arrested on August 19 for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl and sexually harassing several other girls during a fake NCC camp set up at a private school. The unauthorised camp, held from August 5 to 9, involved 41 students, including 17 girls.
• August 21; Maharashtra: In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aurangabad, rural police arrested the 51-year-old head of a private ashram school for raping two minor girls.
• August 22; Assam: In Dhing, Nagaon, Assam, a 14-year-old girl was gang-raped on August 22 while returning home from tuition. The location of the incident was just 1 km from her house.
• August; Maharashtra:Two kindergarten girls, a 3 year old and a 4 year old, were sexually abused by a school janitor in Maharashtra’s Badlapur and were repeatedly assaulted over the last 15 days.

A Plea for Change:

It is time for us to face the darkness that exists within our society. We must challenge harmful stereotypes, advocate for gender equality, and foster a culture of respect for all. Let us unite against sexual violence and demand a safer, more equitable world for women and girls.

A Final Thought

As I wrap up this article, I recall the words of a survivor of sexual violence: “The pain never goes away, but you learn to live with it.” And a harsh, plaintive and dolorous fact is, if you Google about rape cases in India every hour, you can see new cases being updated every hour.

Here are a few questions for you to ask yourselves:

Have you ever questioned a woman’s character based on her appearance or behavior? Have you ever mocked her lifestyle choices? Have you ever avoided getting involved in a situation to avoid potential conflict or inconvenience? Have you ever raised your voice at a woman in your household and justified it as your right?

And to the victims, I ask:

Have you ever remained silent when faced with harassment or abuse, fearing social stigma, judgment, or the loss of support? Have you ever prioritized the comfort or approval of others over your own safety and well-being? If so, it’s important to recognize that these internalized beliefs contribute to the larger societal problem of gender-based violence.

It’s time for a paradigm shift. Before we can change society, we must first examine and challenge our own thought processes, beliefs, and mindsets. Only then can we create a more equitable and respectful world for all.