Stories that Matter

Understanding and overcoming sexual violence in India Anjuman Ara Begum Sexual violence remains unabated in India. The December 2012 gang rape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old female led to a phenomenal consciousness and increased momentum in the country’s discourse on sexual violence. For the first time, the discourse shifted the blame from victim to perpetrator, fostering phenomenal changes in the colonial era criminal laws. In Indian society due to the prevalence of wide gender discrimination, victims of rapes are likely to be held responsible than the victims of theft. The momentum, however, failed to provide crucial protection and redress for the survivors. News headlines depicting brutalized sexual violence have barely changed since then. The reason for this is that crucial recommendations and changes in legal system suggested at that time, such as recommendations on police reforms, reduction of the age of consent, amendments to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act