2. CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
Crimes that are directed specifically against women are characterized as ‘crimes
against women’. The national crime records bureau has recently published the figures
on crimes against women. According to the figures, 100 women are subjected to rape
each day approximately.
Mostly we assume VIOLENCE is abuse, and it includes misbehavior or any sort of
physical aggression. When committed at home it is known as domestic violence which
involves family members.
Violence in broader includes threats, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, control
&domineering, intimidation, stalking, and economic deprivation, rape, abduction,
kidnapping, and murder(criminal violence). Dowry death, wife battering, sexual abuse,
maltreatment of a widow, and an elderly woman (domestic violence). Eve-teasing,
forcing wife/daughter-in-law to go for foeticide, forcing a young widow to commit
sati, etc.(social violence).
3. Crimes against women are broadly classified
into two categories.
A. Crimes against women (Glimpses of India
Penal Code,1860)
• Kidnapping (Sec 359,360,366)
• Eve Teasing (Sec 509)
• Chain snatching (Sec 378)
• Rape (Sec 376,376A,376B,376C,376D)
• Sexual Harassment (Sec 354A)
• Domestic Violence (Sec 498A)
• Honor Killing
• Cyber Crimes (Bullying, Abuse, Violence,
Pornography)
• Dowry deaths
• Acid Attacks (Sec 326A,326B)
• Stalking (Sec 354D)
• Assault to outrage modesty (Sec 354,354B)
• Women trafficking (Sec 370,370A,372,373)
4. B. THE CRIMES UNDER SPECIAL AND LOCAL LAWS(SLL)
• The provisions of the law affecting women significantly have been reviewed
periodically and amendments carried out to keep pace with the emerging
requirements.
• 1. The immoral traffic (prevention) act-1956
• 2. The dowry prohibition act-1961
• 3. The indecent representation (prohibition) act-1986
• 4. The commission of sati prevention act-1987
5. TOP 5 CRIMES PREVALENT IN INDIA AGAINST
WOMEN
1. DOWRY DEATHS
• A dowry death is the murder or suicide of a
married woman caused by a dispute over
her dowry. In some cases, husbands and in-
laws will attempt to extort a
greater dowry through continuous
harassment and torture which sometimes
results in the wife committing suicide, or the
exchange of gifts, money, or property upon
the marriage of a family's daughter.
• The majority of these suicides are done
through hanging, poisoning, or self-
immolation.
Year
Reported dowry
deaths
2008 8,172
2009 8,383
2010 8,391
2011 8,618
2012 8,233
2020 6,843
2021 6,589
6. 2. Honor killings
An Honor killing is a murder of a family member who has been considered to have brought
dishonor and shame upon the family. Examples of reasons for honor killings include the refusal
to enter an arranged marriage, committing adultery, choosing a partner that the family
disapproves of, and becoming a victim of rape. Village caste councils or KHAP PANCHAYATS in
certain regions of India regularly pass death sentences for persons who do not follow their
diktats on caste or gotra. the volunteer group known as LOVE COMMANDOES from Delhi runs a
helpline dedicated to rescuing couples who are afraid of violence for marrying outside of caste
lines.
3. Witchcraft-related murders
Murders of women accused of witchcraft still occur in India. Poor women, widows, and women
from lower castes are most at risk of such killings.
4. Female infanticide and sex-selective abortion
Female infanticide is the selected killing of a newborn female child or the termination of a
female fetus through sex-selective abortion. In India, there is an incentive to have a son,
because they offer security to the family and in old age can conduct rituals for deceased
parents and ancestors. In contrast, daughters are a social and economic burden.
7. 5. Rape
India is perceived as one of the world's most
dangerous countries for sexual violence against
women.[39]rape is one of the most common
crimes in India. Criminal law (amendment) act,
2013 defines rape as penile and non-penile
penetration in bodily orifices of a woman by a
man, without the consent of the
woman.[40] according to the national crime
records bureau, one woman is raped every 20
minutes in India. Incidents of reported rape
increased by 3% from 2011 to 2012.[4] incidents
of reported incest rape increased 46.8% from 268
cases in 2011 to 392 cases in 2012. Despite its
prevalence, rape accounted for 10.9% of reported
cases of violence against women in 2016.
8. LEGAL RIGHTS EVERYONE MUST BE AWARE OF
• No arrests of women after sunset and before sunrise. ( Arrest can be made by a female
police constable only) except in exceptional circumstances.
• Women have the right to file an FIR, no matter when the incident (rape) happened.
• free legal aid to women while lodging an FIR
• Right to privacy while recording the statement.
• No hospital whether public or private can reject or deny any case of medical
examination of a rape victim
• Under all circumstances the identity and Name of a rape victim must be protected (in
either form)
• Women can not be called to the police station for interrogation.
• A zero FIR can be filed in any police station irrespective of the area.
• FIR can be filed online as well.
9. GOVERNMENT MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN
• PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005
The act provides for more effective protection of the rights of women guaranteed under the
constitution who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN (NCW)
The national commission for women (NCW) is a statutory body set up by the government of
India. The commission is mandated to study and monitor all matters relating to the
constitutional and legal safeguards provided to women; review the existing legislations to
suggest amendments wherever necessary, and look into complaints involving the deprivation
of the rights of women. All the state governments also have to set up state commissions for
women (SCW) with similar functions.
• SAKHI – ONE-STOP CENTRES
The one-stop center (OSC) scheme is also carried out by the ministry of women and child
development. These OSCs offer a variety of integrated services, including police facilitation,
medical assistance, legal assistance, counseling, psycho-social counseling, and temporary
shelter, to women who have experienced violence or who are in need.
10. SOME PREVENTIVE
APPROACHES
• Take some self-defense
training and join martial
art courses.
• Carry a pepper spray
and stun gun.
• Launch an FIR if you
suffer from any kind of
crime.
• Create awareness
through print and
electronic media.
• Involving the community
at large in creating and
spreading awareness.
• Organizing legal and
literacy awareness
camps.
