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Crime Against Women on Increase in India

Murali KrishnanJanuary 22, 2008

Just as Indian tourism officials are meeting to discuss the safety of tourists after at least seven reported cases of rape since the beginning of the year, a new report has found that crime against women in India is increasing. Moreover, one in five children is reportedly sexually-abused. Police experts and activists want the laws against rape and harassment to be toughened up.

https://p.dw.com/p/Lrzt
In India, most crimes against women happen in big cities
In India, most crimes against women happen in big citiesImage: picture-alliance/ dpa/dpaweb

Every hour that ticks by in India inflicts more cruelty on women. According to a new report, two rapes, two kidnappings, four incidents of molestation and seven incidents of cruelty from husbands and relatives take place every hour, every day.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which compiled the report, says the numbers are increasing. The NCRB records 19,348 women being raped in 2006, which is almost 1,000 more than in 2005. Rape has become a bigger problem than murder, kidnapping and robbery.

"This year, crime has gone up under certain sections. We are talking about rape, molestations, then eve-teasing, then not of course crime but certain misbehaviour in work places," explained India’s top police officer, Amod Kanth, who added the figures were alarming.

Crime capital

Delhi continues to be the undisputed 'crime capital' of India. The national capital occupies the top slot for almost all violent crimes, including murder, rape, dowry death, molestation, kidnapping and abduction.

The NCRB's report highlights the fact that a third of all crimes reported in India take place in the capital Delhi and big cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore.

Akhila Sivadas, the director of the Centre of Advocacy and Research in Delhi, says the problem of crime is a social one, which is related to urbanisation and poverty.

"I think one thing that has gone terribly wrong is undoubtedly the social divide," Sividas explained. "That has gone absolutely haywire. One of the things we never take care of is what we call the fallout of the problem. We never look at how we are going to take it beyond a certain element of change. Change is fine provided you know how to regulate, manage, supervise and mentor the change."

Inadequate mechanisms

Police chief Amod Kanth pointed out that the mechanisms in place to investigate such crimes and contain them are "most inadequate," explaining that crimes against women and children were given "very low priority even now" despite their increase all over the country.

The grim statistics highlight the need for more measures to empower and protect women in India.

Akila Sivadas thought that the law must be given more teeth: "The first thing we need to do is create what is called 'respect for the law'. We have built a society in the last 60 years where laws are violated with complete impunity."

It remains to be seen whether the authorities will take heed of such advice so that women in India feel they are protected by the law.