RAPE IS A DESPICABLE CRIME
ACCORDING to a report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a staggering 96 percent of reported rape cases in India in 2020 involved offenders who were close family members of the victims.
The data reveals a stark contrast, with a mere four percent of cases involving strangers or unknown individuals perpetrating the crimes. The report further highlights that out of the 26, 727 reported rape cases in 2020, only 1, 185 cases were committed by perpetrators who were unknown to the victims.
This emphasises the disturbing trend of familiar perpetrators being responsible for the vast majority of sexual assaults in the country during that year.
It is hard to write about sexual violence without getting sucked into the world of melancholy. The nature of violence as it emerges out of countless stories shrouds the intellect.
Despair, utter helplessness, and vile narrations shake the very core of sanity leaving behind a vacuum. In the complex landscape of modern society, the prevalence of sexual violence often looms large, casting a shadow over the strides humanity has achieved.
Despite significant advancements in various aspects of life, the persistence of sexual violence remains a troubling and challenging issue that continues to demand attention and action.
“Rape is rape and rape”
Rape is a despicable crime that involves non-consensual sexual activity and violates the victim’s autonomy, dignity, and basic human rights.
It is important to recognise the severity and impact of rape, which can result in physical, emotional, and psychological trauma for the survivor. The effects of rape can be long-lasting and profound, impacting various aspects of the survivor’s life.
Perpetrators of rape must be held accountable for their actions, and it is essential to provide support and resources to survivors to help them heal and seek justice.
Often, sexual violence involves victim shaming.
“She must have provoked him into being abusive”- reflects a misogynist attitude rife in innumerable traditionalistic societies.
This indeed perpetuates rape culture – the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamourisation of sexual violence creates a society that disregards women’s rights and safety.
Victim-blaming attitudes not only perpetuate the harmful narrative promoted by abusers but also place the burden of responsibility on the victim when in reality, it is the abuser who chooses to exert power and control.
It is important to recognise that victims are not to blame for the abuse they endure, nor should they be tasked with resolving the situation.
By tolerating victim-blaming sentiments, society inadvertently shields abusers from being held accountable for their behaviour, enabling them to continue perpetrating relationship abuse or sexual assault with impunity.
A lasting and effective solution involves implementing educational initiatives to raise awareness about ethical principles and moral values within society.
This approach seeks to address the root causes of issues by instilling a deep understanding of what is considered appropriate behaviour and what is not.
Through fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and integrity, individuals are encouraged to make informed ethical decisions that contribute to the betterment of the community as a whole.