A double trauma for rape victims

The State failed the girl who had to marry her alleged abuser

T he subcontinent is not the best place women to live and thrive, and we are reminded of this dubious reputation all too often. Last week, a tribal council in Pakistan asked a man to rape a 16-year-old girl in front of her family as punishment after her brother

ourtake was accused of raping the man’s sister. Even as we were struggling to come to terms to with this devastating news, there was another, this time from India: A 14-year-old rape survivor, who gave birth to a child last year, has got married to her alleged rapist, following intervention by village elders in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district. The accused has been forgiven by the girl’s family because, as her father said: “How long can one fight against the society...it is better that she has gone to his house”. The victim’s comment on her plight is heartbreaking: “My parents cannot feed me and my child. Here, we at least get two meals a day”.

It is unfortunate that the traumatised child has to live with the same person who violated her. Unfortunately, the girl also does not qualify for UP’s ‘Victim Compensation Scheme’, which provides financial assistance to victims or their dependents, who have suffered loss or injury due to crime like rape, acid attack and human trafficking, because the case is sub-judice. Obviously the marriage has given the accused a shield and a chance to get off scot-free. Is there any surety that he will stay with the girl if the case is withdrawn since now she is his wife?

On the larger issue of victim compensation, which is mandated under the law, there are several problems: First, the restrictive eligibility criteria. Next is the long procedure for processing of applications and the disbursement of funds. These roadblocks need to be removed and there has to be a mechanism through which rape/acid survivors can get help to take care of themselves even when a case is going on. This is important not just to ensure that the victim gets support to tide over the crisis till further help comes in, but also can help to keep unconstitutional bodies such as the “village elders” from calling the shots.