     The number of rape cases in our nation is rising quickly, and every second a woman is being raped. While the majority of them are either killed or abandoned, half of them end up as survivors. On the one hand, it sounds good to refer to rape victims as “survivors,” but the fundamental question is whether they should ever have that title.
UP is regarded as one of the most dangerous locations for women to live in light of one of the most horrible rape cases that rocked the entire nation on September 14, 2020, when a Dalit girl was kidnapped and brutally assaulted, ultimately resulting in her death. One such case that made the public’s fury boil was the “Hathras.” Rape is a widespread issue that is exacerbated by variables such as racism, caste, and other forms of discrimination. There is no justification for a guy to control a woman, not even when he is better than the other person or holds a higher position.
According to the statistics survey, there were 19.8 rape-related offences per 100,000 women and girls from 11.6 in 2001 to 19.8 in 2018. As a result of a gang rape and murder case in the Indian capital after 2012, the majority of the 70.7% rate increase between 2001 and 2018 took place after that. The majority of offences were assaults intended to violate a woman’s modesty, followed by rape. In rare cases, a person who was well known to them (44%) or another individual (431%) was blamed. By the end of 2018, only 96% of the cases had completed their trials, and 73% of those cases had ended in acquittals.
According to the authorities, two young people are accused of raping a 48-year-old woman from Panipat, Haryana, on Tuesday in the Shamli area of Uttar Pradesh. Mohan and Rahul have been the subject of a case that has been initiated against them, according to Shamli Superintendent of Police Abhishek Kumar, following a complaint from the woman’s family. According to the authorities, Mohan has been arrested while Rahul is still missing. On Monday, Rahul allegedly called the mother and told her that her two sons—who are now detained—would be released on bond. The woman was allegedly raped, assaulted, and then abandoned in a wilderness by the two. The villagers reported that the woman was found unconscious.
When we talk about rape, one important topic that comes up is what causes rape. Why are rape cases increasing so rapidly and alarmingly? Lack of public safety is the main cause of the surge in rape incidents. No matter where they live, women are not protected, either inside or outside of their homes. The victim’s own home has been the scene of the crime in a number of documented incidents. Rapes are also happening in moving cars, raising concerns about the effectiveness of our country’s traffic system. An important contributing aspect is the lack of police officers, especially female policemen.
Recently, well-known individuals and academics have wrongly and entirely misattributed the spike in rape cases to women’s clothing. The lack of clothing is an invitation to be raped. This is completely at odds with the attitude standard that we all uphold or are responsible for instilling from one’s birth.
One should be aware of the following provisional rape laws: Section 376 of the IPC 1860 states that the penalty for rape is a minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum of life in prison as well as a fine. According to Section 376A, crimes involving victims who are left in a lengthy vegetative state are punishable by a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars. Section 376B provides that if a husband and wife engage in sexual relations while they are separated, the offender shall be subject to a fine and a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than seven years.A minimum of 6 years in prison and a maximum of 10 years in prison as well as a fine are the penalties for participating in sexual activity while in a position of responsibility under Section 376C. Before committing any acts that are punishable by law, one must be aware of this.
It is urgently necessary to lessen this violent crime today. Making sexual assault legislation more strict is the most important step that must be taken in this regard. The death sentence need to be applied to rape suspects. Every district needs to establish a women’s squad to handle solely matters pertaining to women. Fast-track courts must be developed in order to guarantee that justice is served as soon as is practical. An NGO should set up a rape crisis centre where victims can get in touch by calling a toll-free number or physically going to the local centres. Such a facility should be crucial in aiding rape victims in recovering from the psychological harm they have sustained and in obtaining legal restitution. Hence, it’s high time we add sex education in the school systems.
