In India, rape, sexual harassment, and the abuse of women are common occurrences that go unspoken due to social stigma or fear of retribution. On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old young woman was beaten and gang-raped so badly she spent several days in intensive care before being transferred to Singapore for further medical treatment. She died from her injuries on December 29, 2012. Anti-rape protests broke out across India as citizens demanded that rape cases be expedited and that parliament hold an emergency session to strengthen laws against sexual assault. Police have cracked down on demonstrations, even using tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.
(2) Cases of Sexual Violence Against Women (2007-2013)
• Cases of Molestation
• Cases of Rape
• Cases of Sexual Harassment
Despite escalating public outcry against rape, reported cases have increased steadily, with the only slight decline occurring in 2009. In 2013, reports of rape increased 35% from the previous year. The meaning of the data is difficult to judge, as increased awareness may mean less stigma in reporting rape. Figures are based on reported crimes documented by the National Crime Record Bureau of India. Updated: July 1, 2014.
27% is the conviction rate for rape accused in India (2013)
Rape is often notoriously difficult to prove in court, with the victim forced to endure a "second rape" by a zealous legal defense aimed at discrediting her. In 2013, under a third of rape cases brought to court in India resulted in a conviction. Updated: July 1, 2014.
70% of women living in India endure some form of domestic abuse
According to a report by the Mumbai-based rights organization Dasra, over half of Indian women have suffered some form of domestic abuse at the hands of a husband or relative. Domestic violence accounts for 50% of total reported crimes against women in the country. Additionally, in 2014, an Indian high court ruled that marital rape is not a crime. Updated: July 1, 2014.
Kidnapping and Bodily Harm Against Women (2007-2013)
• Cases of Abuse by Husband/Relative
• Cases of Kidnapping
• Cases of Dowry Deaths
India is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women to live, as evidenced by the shocking rates of various types of abuse, including hitting, kicking, choking, hair pulling, and burning. Dowry deaths, when a wife dies from burns, bodily harm, or any other unnatural circumstance at the hand of her husband or other relatives, also occur. Updated: July 1, 2014.
Rapists by Relationship to Victim (2013)
• Parents or close family members 2%
• Relatives 7%
• Neighbors 34%
• Other known persons 57%
These figures are only representative of cases in which the victim knows the attacker, and do not account for the 6% of incidences in which the assailant is unknown. Updated: July 1, 2014.
20 years is the new maximum prison sentence for rape
Mass anti-rape protests broke out and have continued in response to the December 2012 gang-rape of a 23 year-old woman in Delhi, who eventually died from the injuries she sustained during the assault. Security forces have cracked down on protests by using water cannons, tear gas, and long sticks to disperse crowds. In early February 2013, the Indian government passed a new sexual violence law that increased the maximum sentence for rape to 20 years, and in cases where the victim dies or goes into a coma, the death penalty. This has led to further protests as activists point out the new law does not address a multitude of issues, including marital rape.
Every day, 93 women are raped in India
According to the latest figures presented by the NCRB, 93 rapes are reported every single day in India. Updated: July 1, 2014.
States and Territories with the Highest Incidence of Reported Rape (2013)
• Madhya Pradesh 4335 reported rapes
• Rajasthan 3285 reported rapes
• Maharashtra 3063 reported rapes
• Uttar Pradesh 3050 reported rapes
• Assam 1937 reported rapes
According to statistics published by the National Crime Records Bureau in India in 2014. Updated: July 1, 2014.
94% of rape victims know their attacker
Of the 33,707 rapes reported in India in 2013, a staggering 31,807 cases involved somebody the victim knew. Updated: July 1, 2014.
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