Not Just A Game: “The Reality Of Virtual Rape”
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 6
- 1 min read
Jyoti Kumari, NIMS University, Rajasthan, Jaipur
Chandan Kumar Singh, NIMS University, Rajasthan, Jaipur
ABSTRACT
Rape, whether physical or virtual, stands among the most heinous violations of human dignity and human rights across the globe. Each day, countless women, children, and even men fall victim to brutal acts of sexual violence. While the world has started acknowledging the horror of physical rape, virtual rape remains a largely misunderstood and overlooked crime. Acts such as non-consensual sharing of explicit content, deepfake pornography, online sexual harassment, and immersive sexual abuse in virtual spaces are growing rapidly. These forms of assault may not leave physical scars, but they inflict deep psychological wounds, leaving victims isolated and often without any legal remedy.
In a time when society worships women as goddesses on one hand, and allows their bodies and identities to be violated “online” and “offline” on the other, the contradiction is heartbreaking. Although legal provisions exist to address physical rape, the same urgency and clarity are missing in dealing with virtual sexual crimes. Laws remain outdated, enforcement is weak, and awareness is minimal. This article sheds light on the rising threat of virtual rape, the psychological trauma it causes, the failure of current legal systems to offer protection, and the urgent need to redefine consent, safety, and justice in the digital age.
Keywords: virtual rape, online sexual violence, digital trauma, deepfake abuse, consent in cyberspace, gender-based cybercrime, legal reform, India, human rights.
