Open Access Research Article
A PUBLIC AWARENESS STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF ACID ATTACKS ON WOMEN IN INDIA
Published Paper
Article Details
A
PUBLIC AWARENESS STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF ACID ATTACKS
ON
WOMEN IN INDIA
AUTHORED
BY - R. AMIRTHA
VELS
School Of Law
VELS
Institute Of Science Technology And Advanced Studies
Chennai
600117
Contact
No: 9500125859
Email
Id: Amirtharavimohan@Gmail.Com
CO-AUTHOR
- SHAIK TAUFEEQ AHMED
B.COM
L.LB.(Hons) 3rd year
VELS
School Of Law
VELS
Institute Of Science Technology And Advanced Studies
Chennai
600117
Contact
No:8778386298
ABSTRACT
An acid attack is a
crime in which acids or any other harmful as well as corrosive substance are
thrown at a person to harm them physically or emotionally. The physical form of
hurting is permanent destruction of eyesight, breakage of bones, and disfigurement
of face and head whereas the emotional form is lack of public exposure, social
contacts, etc. recent report stated that 386 cases were reported from the year
2018 to 2022 and 176 cases in the year of 2023. The government enacted Section
326(A) of The Indian Penal Code,1860 where any person who voluntarily causes
permanent or partial damage, burns, or disfigures by using acid, she is
punished with a minimum imprisonment of 10 years which may extend to life and a
fine is levied as per the victim’s medical expenses. The main objective is to
study the reasons and effects of acid attacks on women in India. The research
question here is Whether Indian laws are efficient in preventing acid attacks
on women in India? The researcher has followed the empirical research method
using a convenient sampling method. The sample size of the study is 205. The
result observed from the study is that most people are aware of the recent
trends of acid attacks and the laws enacted by the government will help in the
abolition of acid attacks. The suggestion of this study is to increase the
awareness of acid attacks and make people aware of the laws available to
protect the victims and punish the accused.
KEYWORDS: Acid, Attack, India,
Women, Victims
INTRODUCTION
An acid attack is a
crime in which acids or any other harmful as well as corrosive substance are
thrown at a person with the intention to harm them physically or emotionally.
The physical form of hurting is the permanent destruction of eyesight, breakage
of bones, and disfigurement of face and head whereas the emotional form is a
lack of public exposure, social contacts, etc. The evolution of acid attacks
dates back to the 18th century in England where an acid known as Sulphuric acid
(previously known as vitriol) was manufactured to use as a bleach and cleaning
agent. People then started using this acid for violent purposes as it was
available easily. Acid attacks then became a common weapon during domestic
disputes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, women threw acid on men who
impregnated them out of marriage, former lovers who left them, or husbands who
abused them. Acid attacks were very common in those days but were not
associated with any gangs. The highest punishment given during those days was
imprisonment for 10 years or more.
The government enacted
Section 326(A) of The Indian Penal Code,1860 where any person who voluntarily
causes permanent or partial damage, burns or disfigures by using acid, he/she
is punished with a minimum imprisonment of 10 years which may extend to life
and a fine is levied as per the victim’s medical expenses. The government has
also introduced laws for even attempting acid attacks, this comes under Section
326B of the Indian Penal Code,1860 where the punishment is imprisonment of 5
years which may be extended up to 7 years with a fine. However, compensation is
paid to the victims who suffer loss or injury. The compensation is paid as a
fine by the accused after court hearings and judgment under Section 357 A of
the Criminal Procedure Code. Section 322 of the Indian Penal Code defines the
term” voluntarily causing grievous hurt” where hurts must be voluntarily done
with the intention to cause hurt. Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code defines
the term “grievous hurt they state that the accused can be convicted only if
the acid attack affects the victims by creating permanent destruction of
eyesight, disfigurement of the face, breakage of bone, etc.
The factors that
constitute acid attacks are refusal of love proposal, rejection of marriage
proposal, denial of dowry, male-dominated society, peer jealousy, and
inexpensive and effortless obtaining of acids. Refusal of a love proposal and
rejection of a marriage proposal are closely connected and are the major
reasons for acid attacks in India. This reason acid attacks are more common
among youngsters and teenagers as they are the ones who are more interested in
seeking revenge. Denial of dowry also contributes to acid attacks as men get
furious when women’s families refuse to give them. Since our society is a
male-dominated one and women mostly never complain about the abuse faced by
them, males tend to attack women with acids. Peer jealousy is another common
factor constituting acid attacks where one peer is jealous of another and that results
in acid attacks. Inexpensive and effortless obtaining of acids is also the
major reason for acid attacks as without much spending of money and time acids
are sourced from local shops and are used as a weapon to destroy a life.
The National Crime Records
Bureau has evaluated that there have been 1483 cases of acid attacks between
the years 2014 and 2018 and also stated that acid attacks have increased over
the years. It also stated that every day an acid attack case is being recorded.
Times of India also stated that acid attacks in India have been increasing and
27 cases were reported in the year 2010. From 2002 to 2010, 153 acid attack
cases were reported, 386 cases were reported from the year 2018 to 2022, and
176 cases in the year 2023. The Central Government has also advised the State
and Union Territories to review the sale of acids as they are used in many
crimes and has also asked to keep a record of the purchase. The dealer has to
note down the name, address, the quantity of acids, and the purpose for which
the acids are being bought by the person.
A recent report by ‘She
the People’, a women’s channel has recorded that India is at the top when it
comes to acid attacks and also stated that even though acids are banned in
India more cases are being recorded every year. An article also stated that 90%
of acid attacks are being reported in developing countries like Colombia,
Nepal, and many other countries but India is still the highest number. In
southern parts of Asia, the highest acid attack cases are from India,
Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and in India, the highest number of cases are
recorded in northern parts of the country like West Bengal and Delhi. There is
also a finding that women are the most affected by acid attacks than men as 60%
of victims are women and the rest are men. Each and every country has its own
laws which govern and protect the victims as well as punish the accused.
OBJECTIVES:
- To study the reasons for Acid Attacks in India.
- To know the effects of Acid Attacks in India.
- To create awareness on the after effects of Acid
Attacks in India.
- To suggest remedial measures to curb Acid Attacks
in India.
REVIEW
OF LITERATURE
(Shaheema Hameed)discusses
acid attack victims in India who are primarily women while examining the
related laws dealing with such issues. While these attacks can be associated
with societal and other factors that relegate women to an inferior position in
a society of male-dominated patriarchal culture, cases of acid assaults are on
the rise in India. Acid attack victims and survivors are at the receiving end
of social stigmas that prevent them from achieving fulfilling lives. They are
forced to live lives of social exclusion as they are embarrassed, hesitant, and
fearful of the outside world. (Vidhik Kumar)states
that India has the highest number of acid attack cases than any other country
despite the actions taken by the Government of India. The article states the
prevalence of acid attacks and the motives behind the acid attacks. This
article will discuss the prevalence of acid attacks in India, the motives
behind the attacks, consequences on victims, and shortcomings in measures
adopted to prevent the crime and provide justice to victims. (Lakshya Grover) has
studied that Acid Attack need not be just against women but the statistics show
it as a crime against women as the harming a woman’s facial features seems as a
vengeful act to the culprits due to the beauty definitions of our shallow
society. In a country where a whole majority prays to female Gods and regards
women as Devis, such acts are done with reasons such as one-sided love,
jealousy, etc.(Shalini Mittal)evaluates evidence that indicates that women are often
the target of different kinds of gender-based violence, causing them to
experience physical and psychological trauma. However, the trauma associated
with one such gender-based crime, acid attack, has been less explored and lacks
due representation in media and literature. Moreover, trauma has mostly been
studied from a clinical perspective. (Manorama Pandey)states that the women in India and across the world face various
problems some by society and some by the family itself, male domination not
only tries to suppress women but also women's needs to face various problem in
order to fight back the fit condition in the society, Although the condition of
women in India is worsened day to day. Women across the nation not only need to
face financial problems but also emotional and mental issues. (Priyanka Biswas et al)reports that today’s world is witnessing an alarming rate
of incidences of acid violence, especially against women. The situation in
India is too inexpressible. In most of the reported cases of acid attacks in
India, the women become the sufferers for spurning suitors, refusing marriage
proposals denying dowry, and so on. The present study aims to recognize the
underlying factors and evaluate perception variations among the respondents
regarding determinants of acid violence(Shivani Goswami)evaluates
that acid attacks are mostly committed on weaker sex and says that something
stringent needs to be done to curb this evil in our society. The purpose of an
acid attack is to deface, injure, and torture the person throughout his/her
life. It often leads to long-lasting effects which could be physical,
psychological, social, and economic. (Sajida Awais et al)focuses on the perception transformation in the lives of
acid victim women who went on air in the media. The study holds huge importance
because it tends to demonstrate the role of TV channels in transforming the
lives of acid burnt women and motivating them back towards life again. (Unsa Athar et al) have studied that After an acid attack, many
patients suffer from changes in life perspective, behaviour, feelings, social
withdrawal, social isolation, and depression. Formal and informal social
support is vital for the proper and complete rehabilitation of acid burn
victims. The government should form separate public help centres for such
patients. (Arundhuti Das)has
made a recent report on the causes and impact of the acid attacks on the
victims and has also surveyed the age groups being attacked and the common
acids used by the attackers. The easy accessibility of inexpensive acid makes
the perpetrators use it as an ideal weapon against this heinous crime against
women. Illegal sales and purchases of acid are considered non-bailable
offenses, still, it is readily accessible in most grocery and hardware stores
in urban and rural areas. (Navpreet Kaur)The crime of acid attacks against women in India is
becoming more and more common. In such crimes against women, it is always the
case that these incidents are either localized or individualized. It is the
pathetic status of women that is perpetuated by the system that is responsible
for such evils. In India, like in most countries, women are treated as second-class
citizens and are never given the opportunity to assert themselves by refusing
the so-called love proposals and advances. (Alok Rawat et al)evaluates acid violence survivors who face
marginalization from society after the attack. Additionally, acid violence
tends to create fear amongst women in society, as some women may feel that they
might get attacked if they fail to conform to traditional subordinate gender
roles. In order to emancipate and empower women in society, it is this fear
that the law is supposed to address. Deterrence by means of strict laws dealing
with crimes against women is one way of addressing the issue. (NALSA)reports
that acid attacks are the most pernicious form of violence that is resorted to
and is mostly gender specific. The incidents of acid attacks in India are shown
mostly against women and they are the result of marriage proposals or sexual advances.
Conflicts related to dowry also lead to acid attacks. (Minakshi Goswami) evaluates that acid attackers generally target
young girls with the intention of disfiguring the face of the victim. The most
common types of acids used to attack victims are hydrochloric, sulphuric, and
nitric acids. The main reasons behind the commission of the brutal act of acid
throwing are many, namely rejection of love or marriage proposals, refusal to
pay dowry, rejection of sexual advances, property or family disputes, or
marital disputes like refusal to give divorce. Acid attacks result in severe
physical, psychological, and socio-economic consequences and make the life of
the victim worse than death. (Meghna Bajpai et al) has
studied the increase in cases of acid attacks and the effects on the
victims-physically, psychologically, and economically. The paper also states
laws that govern and protect the acid attack victims and punish the accused. (Chinmaya Kumar Mohapatra et al) states that an acid attack is more intentional and
graver than rape and murder. Most of the women therefore restrict themselves to
homes and avoid public appearance. Generally, acids are thrown at the face of
the victim so that it would burn and damage skin tissue. Sometimes it may turn
the person blind and permanently pocking the face and these victim’s social
life gets degraded in society. (Kalpana Chanderia)has evaluated that acid attack is a deep-rooted social
evil and has also highlighted the deficiency in the role played by the
judiciary and police while dealing with the acid attacks. Suggestions that may
help in decreasing acid attack cases are also provided in this research paper. (Samra Azam et al)has made a qualitative study that explores the
psychological, economic, social, and cultural aspects of acid attacks on women.
The study aimed at investigating the causes of acid attacks as well as their
consequences which have become a serious threat to society. ((Mamta Patel) evaluates
that girls are dying or disfigured every day due to acid attacks. Girls have
lost their lives while many are struggling with wounds and have survived these
vicious attacks by thwarted lovers by those seeking revenge against another
family by jealous colleagues. This paper is an attempt to understand the
reasons for the attacks and ways used for their disfigurement. (Sarala Jayakumar)Acid attacks on women are increasing day by day,
basically on girls between the age of 11-30 years. The most common types of
acid utilized in these assaults include sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric
acid. A woman has to take care of her own personal life and if she is a mother,
she has to take care also of her children´s lives too. Worse still, if she is
married, additional stress can be on her shoulders. Yet they will still perform
very well in the work environment in some cases better than their male
counterparts.
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
The
research method followed here is empirical research. A total of 205 samples
have been collected out of which all samples have been collected through
convenient sampling methods. The sample frame taken here is public areas in and
around Chennai, Tamil Nadu like Thandalam, Kuthambakkam, Kilpauk, Kodambakkam,
Pallavaram, Nungambakkam and Chetpet. The independent variables are age,
gender, educational qualification, and occupation. The dependent variables are
acid attacks and awareness of acid attacks. The statistical tools used here are
correlation and graphical representation such as pie charts and graphs.
ANALYSIS
Figure 1:
Legend: Fig 1 shows the
age distribution of the respondents.
Figure 2:
Legend: Fig 2 shows the gender
distribution of the respondents.
Figure 3:
Legend: Fig 3 shows the
educational qualifications of the respondents.
Figure 4:
Legend: Fig 4 shows the occupation
of the respondents.
Figure 5:
Legend: Fig 5 shows the
opinion of respondents on the effectiveness of laws governing acid attacks.
Figure 6:
Legend: Fig 6 shows the opinion
of respondents whether their family, friends or any other person experienced
acid attack.
Figure 7:
Legend: Fig 7 shows the opinion
of respondents on their awareness on laws governing acid attack victims and
offenders.
Figure 8:
Legend: Fig 8 shows the
reasons for acid attacks on women in the opinion of the respondents.
Figure 9:
Legend: Fig 9 shows the
after-effects of acid attacks in the opinion of the respondents.
Figure 10:
Legend: Fig 10 shows the
acids used by the offenders in the opinion of the respondents.
Figure 11:
Legend: Fig 11 shows the
effectiveness of law available in India in controlling acid attacks in the
opinion of the respondents.
Figure 12:
Legend: Fig 12 shows the opinion
of respondents whether their family, friends or any other person experienced
acid attack.
Figure 13:
Legend: Fig 13 shows the
age group which is attacked more in the opinion of the respondents.
Table 1:
Ha: There is a
significant relationship between age and the reason for acid attacks on women.
Ho: There is no
significant relationship between age and the reasons for acid attacks on women.
Legend: Table 1
represents the correlation between age which is an independent variable and the
reason for acid attacks on women which is a dependent variable.
RESULTS
Respondents belonging to the age group of
15-25 have been surveyed more regarding acid attacks whereas respondents
belonging to the age group of 26-35 years have been less surveyed and
respondents belonging to the age group of 36-45 years have less surveyed and
respondents belonging to age group above 45 years have the least surveyed
(Fig.1). Female respondents have been surveyed more regarding acid attacks
whereas male respondents have comparatively shown a lesser preference towards
answering the study (Fig.2). The pie chart represents the educational
qualifications of the respondents where undergraduates are highly active about
acid attacks and high school students were least active among the respondents (Fig.3).
The highest number of respondents belong to the government sector and then
private sector whereas the least among the respondents were having their own
business (Fig4).
The majority of respondents agreed that laws
available in India are effective in controlling cases of acid attacks (Fig.5).
The highest response given by the respondents was a no on stating an experience
with acid attacks(Fig.6). The pie-chart represents the awareness on laws
governing acid attack victims and offenders, most of them have responded that
they are aware of the laws available (Fig7). The bar chart reveals the reason
for acid attacks on women and the major reason was rejecting love or marriage
proposals (Fig8). The complex chart studies the after-effects of child marriage
and physical damage was the major after-effect (Fig9). The chart shows the
common acids used by the offender and people have responded that any acid which
is easily brought from the store is commonly used by the offenders (Fig10). The
figure shows the effectiveness of the law governing acid attack cases and many of
them have agreed to it (Fig11). The graph shows whether the respondent’s
family, friends, or any other known member have experienced acid attacks and
many have responded with a no which is a positive response in this case (Fig
12). The bar graph studies the age group that is being attacked more and the
age group between 18-22 are being attacked more (Fig13). The hypothesis assumed
here is that there is a significance between age and the reason for acid
attacks on women (Table 1).
DISCUSSION
The study shows that 19.51% population of
people strongly agree that the law available in India are effective in
controlling cases of acid attacks and 21.95% population strongly disagree that
the laws governing cases of acid attacks are not effective in controlling cases
of acid attacks(Fig.5).It is also melancholy to state that even in this 21st
century 40.98% of the population's family member or friend has been a victim of
acid attack and 59.02% of the population has stated that neither their friends
nor family member has not been a victim of acid attack(Fig.6).In the year of
2023, India is the number one populated country and yet only 4.88% population
of people to whom the survey is taken is strongly aware on the laws governing
acid attacks victims and the offenders and 14.63% population are completely not
aware on the laws available for the same(Fig.7).The main reason for such
grievous behaviour of acid attack done by the offender is due to getting
rejected by their love or marriage proposals which accounts to 39.51% and
21.46% is due to dowry denial and this attack is done on married women, 19.51%
is because of peer jealousy, 14.63% is to the reason of family conflicts and
the least of 4.88% is of refusal of sexual harassment and this has reduced to
the legalisation of prostitution by the Government(Fig.8).This immoral act
results in many side-effects and physical damage being 39.51% tops the list
which is being followed by emotional ,mental instability and economic
instability which are 21.46% and 19.51% respectively(Fig.9).The most common
acid used by the offender is Nitric acid and Hydrochloric acid which is 21.95%
and 21.46% respectively, these are due to the easy and low priced availability
of the acids and this is also followed by the usage of Sulphuric acid 19.51% of
respondents have stated(Fig.10).The hypothesis tested here is to find out if
there is significant relationship between the age and the reason for acid
attacks on women .But it was proved that there is a significant relationship
between the age and the reason for acid attacks on women(Table.1).
LIMITATIONS
One of the major limitations of the study is
the sample frame. There is a major constraint in the sample frame as it is
limited to a small area. Thus, it proves to be difficult to extrapolate it to a
larger population. Another limitation is the sample size which cannot be used
to assume the thinking of the entire population in a particular country, state,
or city. The physical factors have a larger impact, thus, limiting the study.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the analysis, it has
been found that most people are aware of acid attacks and the reasons and
after-effects of acid attacks. They also show a considerable amount of support
towards the abolition of acid attacks. The Government is conducting more
awareness camps and making laws more stringent in order to eradicate acid
attacks. The suggestion given for this study is to report any acid attack
occurring around you to legitimate specialists. Teach your companions, family,
and local area about why acid attacks are destructive, and vow to never be a
piece of any occasion that advances acid attacks.
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Article Information
A PUBLIC AWARENESS STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF ACID ATTACKS ON WOMEN IN INDIA
Authors: R. AMIRTHA, SHAIK TAUFEEQ AHMED
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2023/12/26
- Issue 7
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International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
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