Understanding The Impact Of Rape: Prevalence, Causes, And Consequences
- IJLLR Journal
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
Priyanka Amarnani, ICFAI Law School, IFHE Hyderabad
Background
Rape is not merely a personal crime; but it is a major issue in society. Rape cases in India are usually a subject of outrage, but do not create a systematic impact in India, where conservative culture prevails. Victim stigma, slow justice, and the rise of male culture are some of the factors that lead to minimal advancements. This research will go out to make an in-depth examination of rape as a means of patriarchy, control, and violence. Through examining the legal development, the case law, and the societal feelings, we aim to determine the causes of the problem and to come up with feasible solutions that can be put in place to reform. One of the most atrocious crimes against the body integrity and dignity of a person is rape. Most often, it is a sign of power, domination, and control, and not just sexual satisfaction. Its psychological repercussions on the survivor are usually lifelong, not only to the individual but families and the whole community. The legal reforms do not ensure that many cases are reported because of fear, shame, and the stigma attached to sexual assault in society.
The 2021 data of NCRB states that 31,000 plus rape were reported in India. The top states in terms of the number of cases are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. These numbers are, however, the tip of the iceberg as a result of underreporting. Research has indicated that out of the reported rape cases, there are many more that are not reported because of fear, shame, or pressure from family.
The WHO has documented that one out of every three women is sexually or physically abused at some point in her life. Rape is commonly employed as a means of war in war-torn areas. Even in developed countries, the high-profile sexual assaults have shown that institutional accountability problems are ingrained.
