Acid Attacks in India
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In India, the majority of acid attack victims are girls and women. Many acid attack survivors suffer from severe physical deformity, deafness, vision problems, and other health complications, as well as psychological trauma. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, there are around 14 instances of acid assaults every month. In 2019, there were 244 documented incidents of acid assaults. An acid attack is a heinous kind of violence in which a criminal throws an acid chemical at a girl or a woman with the intention of harming her face, or body, or even killing her. An acid attack is a horrific act that severely ruins the existence of others, both physically and mentally.
Why are men and boys responding this way because she declines marriage proposals or absolutely refuses to be your girlfriend, or because she is interested in achieving her dreams and may break established gender norms? Attacks with acid are usually committed in revenge, as a form of punishment, or out of rage.
How can acid attacks be minimised in India?
According to Acid Survivors Trust International, a non-profit organisation that works internationally to assist and support acid attack survivors, approximately 1500 acid attacks take place globally each year. The highest incidence is seen in South Asian nations such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Reduced acid attacks in India would necessarily require a holistic strategy that includes tackling the core factors of acid violence, adopting comprehensive prevention action, and supporting survivors with support, assistance, and safety. To decrease the number of acid attacks in India, the following measures might be taken:
Enhancing legal and policy structures
Due to the absence of efficient law enforcement, but implementation and enforcement are still lacking. Thus, it is necessary to ensure that current regulations and laws are strictly adhered to and that those who commit acid assaults are held responsible. This includes tougher punishments for acid attacks, better investigation and trial processes, and appropriate assistance for survivors.
Regulating the sale of acid
Acid sales should be subject to stricter regulations. It may help reduce the number of acid assaults. This includes requiring licences to sell acid, regulating the quantity that may be sold, and strengthening documents to track acid usage or activities.
Increasing awareness about acid
Acid violence may be reduced by making people aware of the terrible consequences of acid assaults and establishing healthy gender standards. enhance awareness and comprehension of the matter, and involves interacting with school and college institutions, communities, and the press. For example, nukkad natak, play, and so on. This may make it simpler for victims to get aid and for communities to take precautions against acid assaults.
Increasing the availability of supportive services
Acid attack victims need all-encompassing help, including healthcare coverage, legal counsel, and psychological counseling. It's indeed essential that all these services be easily accessible to all victims, no matter their sexual orientation or financial background.
Addressing the real fundamental social and economic concerns
Tackling the root economic and social reasons that lead to acid violence, such as gender-based violence, inequality, and poverty. Society accepts those who fling acid but rejects those who survive. Why should victims hide their faces? It's time to make some adjustments to social conventions. which is essential to decreasing acid assault cases.
What is the impact of an acid assault on the victims?
Acid assaults can have painful and long-lasting consequences for survivors, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. The acid attack destroys her self-esteem and confidence. Such assaults are intended to try to destroy or harm a target in a manner that is not just physical but also psychological, social, and economic. As a result, she suffers for the rest of her life. Following are some of the consequences of acid attacks on survivors:
Physical injuries
Acid attacks can result in serious burns, deformity, and scarring, necessitating numerous surgeries and continuous medical care. The face has been heavily damaged, and the hair has been gone. Ear cartilage is frequently partially or completely damaged, and deafness may result. Eyelids may be burned off or distorted, resulting in severely blurred vision and blindness. Acid in the eye also harms vision, sometimes causing loss in both eyes.
Psychological trauma
Many patients experience adjustments to their perception, behaviour, moods, social withdrawal, social alienation, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological issues as a consequence of the behaviour of an acid incident, also known as vitriol age. The appropriate and comprehensive recovery of acid burn sufferers requires both institutional and informal social assistance. They may have difficulty reintegrating back into their communities.
Economic and social repercussions
Because of their wounds, acid attack survivors may experience alienation, prejudice, and social humiliation. They may also face financial difficulties as a result of the expenses associated with healthcare and lost revenue as a result of being unable to work. It's hard to find work. Most occurrences show that recruiters are not interested in hiring someone who is not attractive.
Relationship effects
Those who have survived acid attacks could find their bonds with friends, family, and love partners strained. They may consider themselves a burden to their family members, or they might suffer from emotions of mental anguish and humiliation.
What is the law against acid attacks?
Acid attacks were not classified as separate crimes under the Indian Criminal Code until 2013. In India, there were no particular laws. A.R. Lakshmanan is the chairman of India's 18th Law Commission. Throughout this commission, new sections 326A and 326B of the Indian Criminal Code, as well as section 114B of the Indian Evidence Act, were proposed.
Section 326A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with the use of acid voluntarily causing permanent or partial injury, deformity, disfigurement, burns, or disablement. The minimum penalty under this clause is ten years in jail, with the possibility of life in prison, and a fine determined based on the victim's healthcare expenditures.
The Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 326B, deals with willingly throwing or trying to throw acid with the intent to inflict damage. The offender will be sentenced to a minimum of five years in jail, which can be increased to seven years, as well as a fine.
In accordance with Section 357A of the Criminal Procedure Code, which deals with general provisions on compensation schemes for victims who have incurred losses or injuries, the court may issue an order after the trial has concluded requiring the accused to make restitution.
According to this clause, each state government is required to develop a plan for providing funds to victims or their dependents who have suffered any loss or harm, working in conjunction with the federal government.
According to Section 357C of the Criminal Procedure Code, which was enacted in 1973, all local, public, and private hospitals are required to give free emergency first aid to victims.
The Indian Evidence Act's Section 114B establishes a presumption regarding an acid attack: the court shall assume, in light of the particulars of the case and the victims' testimonies, that the defendant threw acid on the lady with the intent to cause great bodily harm.
The story that we need to know:
Acid attack survivors take to the catwalk in a London fashion show (Image Source: The Guardian)
There are several examples of survivors who fought back against this unbearably painful acid attack. It is not easy to put into words what happened; it takes lots of courage, strength, and bravery beyond our comprehension. We say we understand, but do we really comprehend or are we just pretending? We don't even think about what she's going through. When our fingers burn, we feel agony, but picture the misery of burning your face, body, and, most importantly about her identity. Is that how a society functions? Is that a civilization exhibition culture?
We are all familiar with the film Chaapak, which is based on a true acid assault incident. Malti (Laxmi Agarwal) is attacked with acid and must battle for her life. Her appeal prompted the Supreme Court in 2013 to urge the federal and state governments to control the sale of acid. According to the NCRB, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh have had the largest number of such instances, accounting for roughly fifty percent of the incidents in the country each year. Violence against women continues to be an impediment to attaining equality, development, and peace, as well as realizing the human rights of women and girls.
A comprehensive approach is required to transform the entire environment. Every member of society, including lawmakers, police officers, forensic investigators, prosecutors, the judiciary, medical and health agencies, non-governmental organizations, and rehabilitation centers, and every individual who walks on the road must collaborate.
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