The National Crime Records Bureau records 572 rapes reported from Delhi for the year 2011. This year 635 rapes had already been reported as of December 15, 2012, Rape is not a problem that afflicts Delhi alone. In recent months, we have seen a rising crime graph against women being reported from virtually every corner of the country including Haryana, Kerala and Bangalore.
Each time a rape is reported, civil society reacts with anger and outrage, which unfortunately dies down and is forgotten, until the next time. The question to ask: what is the inflexion point? At what stage do we say collectively and in one voice: Enough.
Many solutions have been offered in the light of this particular gang-rape and in the past. Some of these include:
- The setting up of fast track courts (as in Rajasthan recently) to ensure speedy trials.
- The imposition of maximum, exemplary sentence.
- The immediate clearing of all pending cases involving crimes against women.
- Immediate training and sensitisation of police force to crimes against women, including domestic violence, molestation and sexual assault.
- The immediate passage of pending bills that seek to protect women, including the Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Bill 2012 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2012
- Consultations with the Ministry of Human Resources to see how best to address the issue of sensitising boys through the school curriculum.
- National-level, open consultations involving civil society and other stake-holders on how best to tackle the growing misogyny and hostility against women as well as rising crimes against them.
One of the latest victims was 23, with dreams of being a doctor. But two weeks ago, she was gang raped by six men, savagely beaten and thrown out of a moving bus in Delhi. The still unnamed woman who has become "India's daughter" just died of her injuries in hospital.
Namita Bhandare (photo) knows the constant fear that goes with living in Delhi, nicknamed India's "rape capital". Like others, she long believed that nothing would change. But the outpouring of anger and sadness now has convinced her that this could be a turning point for women like her.
The tragedy has sparked vigils and protests, and over 100,000 Indians have already signed Namita's petition to the Prime Minister. As the story reverberates around the world, being covered by every major news outlet, there's a chance for Americans to help show the Indian Prime Minister that their international reputation is on the line if they fail to act.
Click here to sign Namita's petition asking the Indian government to actively prosecute rape cases, introduce compulsory sensitivity training for police, and pass two proposed laws to protect women.
The story of "India's daughter" has sparked deep grief and fury across India. Grief for her horrifying ordeal, and fury that politicians have ignored the huge problem of rape and sexual violence against women for so long.
According to crime statistics, a woman is raped every 22 minutes, and most rapists are never prosecuted. Women are often blamed for their own rapes, police refuse to hear reports from victims, and some women report being harassed by the very authorities they hope will protect them.
Politicians are being faced with some uncomfortable truths. But Namita says that unless people seize this moment of national consciousness, the chance to change anything will slip away. That's why she's asking for global support to show the world is watching.