“Rape”. The word in itself presents a horrifying image of a mentality so sick that is unfathomable. Everyday newspapers report several rape cases across the country. While some cases grab the required attention, some are silenced into the hollowness of the system and shadowed by the so-called pride of the family. Why is it that despite laws being made and strict punishments being imposed on such a terrible crime, rape cases in India are still at a rise. According to a recent survey, 16 girls are raped every minute in India. And the only question that we can ask is WHY?
Today, every parent is scared to let their girl child out alone or late. When it is late and we walk alone back from our workplace, we are constantly in a fear of being followed or watched. The lust filled eyes of the perpetrators across a crowd send chills down our spine and carefree has become a word that we cannot afford to use. Whether it is a baby of a few months or an old lady, whether your a mother to kids or a young college student, no one is spared. For perpetrators, being a woman is inviting them to rape, wearing clothes is provocative and making a life for oneself is showing yourself available. What kind of mentality is our society dwelling in? If wearing clothes like jeans is provocative according to some of narrow minded people and putting on makeup is a invitation to rape, then why is a 4 month old girl is raped in hospital and why is an old lady of 75 years is raped?
Some rape victims are killed and some are tortured, some survivors live a life full of scars and mental trauma while some survivors chose to battle. The Indian Government has put into place several laws to tackle the heinous crime of rape and made it a punishable offence under the IPC. The word rape is legally defined u/s 375[1] of Indian Penal Code, 1860 that defines the rape as Whenever a man penetrates or does sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent or will it amounts to rape.
Other laws include Article 376(2) i.e. Custodial rape, S. 376(A) i.e. marital rape & S. 376(B to D) i.e. Sexual Intercourse not amounting to rape, U/s 228A[2] of IPC, No person can disclose the name of the rape victim, U/s 164A[5] of Code of Criminal Procedure, provisions for medical examination of rape victim are given and U/s 327(2)[6] of Code of Criminal Procedure, there should be in camera trial for all rape victims.
Despite these laws, the rape cases on the rise and one can blame it on the implementation of these laws. While some accused are never caught, some use power to get away with crime while other might be bailed against a meagre punishment. The very patriarchal society too gives a rise in the mindset that women are secondary to men and that men can treat women in any which way they way. Such deep rooted sense of dominance normalizes gender specific behavior patterns. There is a strict requirement of capital punishment of rape so that there is fear amongst the perpetrators and not amongst the women.
“I just want to sleep. A coma would be nice. Or amnesia. Anything, just to get rid of this, these thoughts, whispers in my mind. Did he rape my head, too?”
Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak
