NOT ANOTHER HEADLINE: WHY INDIA’s RAPE CRISIS NEEDS MORE THAN LAWS

 NOT ANOTHER HEADLINE: WHY INDIA’s RAPE CRISIS NEEDS MORE THAN LAWS

INTRODUCTION

There hasn't been a day passing by without rapes making it to the headlines. We see it, feel sorry for the victim, get agitated, then move on, but the story and the fear remain forever. This latest incident-in a crowded city bus, at a college hostel, or in a village-stands as proof that even though laws have been made stringent and louder conversations have now taken place, deep-seated issues revolving around power, prejudice, and apathy continue to obstruct the crime itself. The blog goes through some landmark and recent cases, correlates, and gives its view on why the problem is still plagiarism even after reforms, and presents a few thoughts on what real change should look like.

UNCOVERING THE REAL REASONS

Mathura Rape Case (1972), Bhanwari Devi Case (1992), Vishakha Case (1997), Aruna Shanbaug Case, Nirbhaya Gang Rape Case (2012), Shakti Mills Gang Rape Case (2013), Bilkis Bano Case (2002, ongoing issues till 2022–23), Kathua Rape Case (2018), Unnao Rape Case (2017), Hyderabad Veterinarian Rape Case (2019), Hathras Rape Case (2020), Kallakurichi Minor Rape Case (2022), Chhattisgarh Minor Rape Case (2024), R.G.Kar Medical college rape case (2024), and the recent Kolkata law college gang rape are the most traumatizing and outraged cases. But there were many more cases in which women suffered, some got justice and some didn’t. There are even more unregistered cases of women facing all sort of sexual harassment and abuses in the buses, alley, even in their own homes. One of the core factors behind the high rate of rape in India is that, owing to a deep-rooted patriarchal mentality, women are considered inferior or someone's property. Such a mentality is initiated at home, for boys and girls are raised differently, boys are brought up to enjoy liberties and powers, whereas girls are indoctrinated into being silent, adjusting, and tolerating. The concept of consent is grossly misunderstood by a lot of people due to the absence of any frank dialogue on the topics of sex, relationships, or boundaries. This kind of ignorance creates scaffolding for ill attitudes where a few men reckon they can submit a woman against her will without paying for it. Then the most unacceptable and cruel part victim blaming comes into action where the victims are brutally accused, shamed, verbally abused. It all comes to an end with just the most common phrases like, "she asked for it" and "what was she wearing". When these types of statements are made against a person who is mentally and physically drained and traumatized, they lose hope in themselves and the justice system. Even if the victim gathers the courage to complain, she is met with slow investigation, insensitive interrogation, and years of trials, thus making justice an illusion. Poor police action, street insecurity, and lack of law enforcement add to the equation. All considered, these social, cultural, and legal gaps create a safe haven for rapists who carry out such acts believing that they can act however they want and no one’s ever going to question them.

THE UNSEEN BATTLE OF DIGNITY AND SYSTEMATIC CHANGE

While high-profile rape trials shook India’s conscience, the more critical fight is not about punishment, it is about dignity for survivors and restoring an incredibly disappointing social justice system that almost always fails them. From Mathura to Nirbhaya and now, dozens of cases more, we see that rape is more than violence. It is a mirror of power, money, caste dominance, and social indifference. The overwhelming majority of victims we see on the news are poor and marginalized women who have not even an ounce of influence over the justice system. Survivors are threatened, made socially outcast, or pushed into silence. Change must come from the direct surface of injustice,  providing all survivors with a voice, legal services, protection, and dignity regardless of who they are. It is not enough for rapists to be punished; India needs to affirm its obligation towards victims so they do not have to engage in the struggle for their fundamental right to live with dignity.

BUILDING A CULTURE OF RESPECT AND SAFETY

Rape is largely an action of violence, domination, and persistent attitudes. If we are to end rapes, then the mere existence of laws will not suffice or work in that respect. There has to be a change in the attitude of people. We should start educating kids, both girls and boys on how to respect the opposite gender. It's really important that we take time to teach kids to be respectful, disciplined, remain gentle and avoid uncomfortable usage of words and actions towards the other gender. Talking openly about healthy relationships and boundaries can lift the veil of silence that has allowed abuse to proliferate. 

Justice is something which should be provided to the victims in an effort free manner and not with struggles. The majority of survivors do not come forth, fearing shame and not trusting the police and the courts. Police need to develop greater sensitivity to handle such cases. The manner of conduct must assure speedy trials, counselling services, and safe homes for victims. Punishment alone is insufficient; so swift and so certain must it be that all commits of rape would immediately desist from this in humanity. 

At every level, prevention must be implemented. Friends, neighbours, and teachers should act promptly whenever they witness some sign of harassment or abuse. Bystanders cannot simply walk away from all of this. There must be explicit policies laid down for sexual harassment and make sure the victims are not left unanswered.

BEYOND LAWS

Often, people say,” India has strong laws now, so, why has rape not stopped?" The answer is painfully simple: A law may punish a crime, but it can seldom standalone against it. In reality, a victim still faces a system that is opposing her very frequently and the policemen send her from the police station empty-handed or humiliate her, delay a medical check-up, thus destroying key pieces of evidence, drag the trial for years, forcing victims to relive their trauma over and over again; and even when convictions are secured and rapists are imprisoned, they are rarely secured.

Though the judiciary is a keen participant, several elements come into play. The actual foundations of rape stand on common misogyny- jokes exonerating harassment as ‘boys being boys’, families inculcating the girl child to dress politely instead of teaching their boys to respect consent, colleges covering up complaints for self-preservation. It exists in communities that shame the survivor rather than the accuser. It thrives in our silence-whether we hear or see something wrong and fail to speak against it for the reason that it is 'none of our business'. Fighting rape in India requires more than just amendments and fast-track courts, in so far as those are important. 

CONCLUSION

Rape is not an offense committed just in dark alleys or deserted roads; it puts the spotlight on whatever still needs to be done for India to truly become a country where every girl or woman feels safe. Do laws matter? Yes, but culture matters more. Institutions must stop hiding behind hollow promises and instead, must stand for those who put their faith in them. Families must teach their children that consent is a matter of no discussion. And we all should find ourselves ready to scream out whenever.

Closing Credit

 Author- Shruthika M

"The views expressed are personal. This article is intended for educational purposes and public discourse. Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome!"