Anatomy of Crimes Against Women & Girls

(news courtesy: The Times of India, Delhi Edition-November 8th 2024)

Despite decades of awareness and advocacy, crimes against women remain a persistent and deeply rooted problem across societies worldwide. These crimes encompass various forms of violence, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, harassment, and human trafficking. Unbearable and sickening, the ghastly violence against women is alarmingly prevalent. From street harassment to severe forms of domestic and sexual violence, women face threats in nearly all aspects of public and private life.

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life" 

Intimate partner violence refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors.

Sexual violence is "any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching and other non-contact forms."

Key facts

• Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights.
• Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner.
• Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings.
• Violence against women is preventable. The health sector has an important role to play to provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence, and as an entry point for referring women to other support services they may need.

(Violence against women)

Statistics reveal that a significant percentage of women experience some form of violence in their lifetime. These crimes range from harassment in public spaces to physical assault and femicide. In many regions, systemic factors, such as inadequate legal frameworks, weak law enforcement, and cultural stigmas, contribute to the ongoing cycle of violence. Victims often remain silent due to fear of social consequences or a lack of trust in the legal system.

The impact of violence against women is profound, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Victims may face physical injuries, mental health issues, and economic hardships due to missed work and healthcare costs. Society, in turn, suffers from lost productivity, strained healthcare systems, and damaged family structures. The psychological trauma can also extend across generations, as children raised in abusive environments may experience long-term emotional and behavioral challenges.

Root Causes of Violence Against Women

1. Patriarchal Norms and Gender Inequality: Traditional gender roles and patriarchal values continue to underpin discriminatory behaviors. In societies where male dominance is normalized, women may be perceived as inferior or as possessions, fueling abusive behaviors.
2. Lack of Legal Protections: In some regions, legal protections for women are either inadequate or poorly enforced. Cases of assault or domestic violence may be ignored, and perpetrators may go unpunished due to legal loopholes or corruption.
3. Economic Disempowerment: Limited access to education and employment opportunities leaves many women economically dependent on their abusers, making it difficult for them to leave abusive environments.
4. Cultural Attitudes: Victim-blaming, stigmatization, and the taboo surrounding gender-based violence prevent open discussions about these issues and discourage victims from coming forward.

Addressing the Crisis: Solutions and Actions

1. Stronger Legal Reforms: Enacting strict laws against crimes like domestic violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking, and ensuring that these laws are effectively enforced, is crucial. Speedy trials and stronger sentences for perpetrators would also demonstrate zero tolerance for such crimes.
2. Community Education and Awareness: Educating the public about gender equality and respectful relationships can reshape cultural attitudes. Schools, workplaces, and media campaigns should promote messages of empowerment, equality, and consent.
3. Empowering Women Economically: Providing women with economic opportunities, including vocational training and equal employment rights, can help reduce their vulnerability to abuse by fostering financial independence.
4. Supportive Services for Victims: Establishing accessible support services, such as shelters, counseling centers, and hotlines, offers victims the resources they need to escape abusive situations and begin recovery.
5. Involvement of Men and Boys: Changing the culture of violence also requires engaging men and boys as allies. Programs that encourage positive masculinity, empathy, and respect toward women can help to reduce gender-based violence.

The fight against violence and harassment of women requires a holistic, sustained effort. Governments, NGOs, communities, and individuals all play essential roles in fostering an environment where women are respected, safe, and free from violence. Only by confronting the cultural and systemic roots of these crimes can society achieve meaningful, lasting change.

Mindset and Behavior Change as a Solution

Mindset and behavior change are vital for creating a safe society for women. While laws and support services play critical roles, a deeper shift in attitudes is required to prevent violence before it starts.

1. Promoting Gender Equality and Respect: Education systems, workplaces, and media outlets can be powerful tools for shaping respectful attitudes. Campaigns and educational programs must emphasize the value of equality, self-worth, and mutual respect. When respect becomes a core social value, tolerance for harmful behaviors diminishes.
2. Re-defining Masculinity: In many cultures, toxic masculinity drives men to exert control or dominance over women. Initiatives aimed at boys and men should focus on promoting positive masculinity, empathy, and responsibility. Programs that encourage men to be allies in the fight against gender-based violence can have a profound impact.
3. Combating Gender Stereotypes: Changing entrenched stereotypes is essential. Campaigns can counteract harmful portrayals by celebrating diverse female roles and capabilities, showing that women are not only caretakers or subordinates but equal partners and leaders.
4. Engaging Community Leaders: Religious and cultural leaders hold significant influence in many communities. By speaking against violence and promoting equal treatment of women, they can contribute to transforming societal norms.

Persistent crimes against women can only be eliminated through a multi-faceted approach. Along with structural reforms, mindset and behavior change are essential for a society where respect, equality, and safety for women are normalized. Through education, positive role models, and community-wide efforts, society can foster a culture of zero tolerance for violence, ensuring women live free from fear and with the dignity they deserve.

Here are some real-world examples where specific measures have successfully helped to reduce crimes against women. These cases illustrate the effectiveness of combined legal, social, and educational approaches:

1. Spain: Integrated Gender Violence Protection System

Spain implemented significant reforms in 2004 with the Organic Act on Integrated Protection Measures against Gender Violence, creating specialized courts, police units, and hotlines focused exclusively on gender violence cases. The act provides comprehensive victim support, including restraining orders, emergency shelters, and financial aid. As a result, gender-based violence fatalities dropped significantly in subsequent years, and the law has become a model for similar legislation in Europe.

2. Rwanda: Strong Women’s Representation and Legal Protections

Following the Rwandan Genocide, the country took steps to prioritize gender equality. Rwanda now has one of the highest female parliamentary representation rates globally, which has helped drive legal reforms protecting women. Policies against domestic violence, harassment, and gender discrimination have become stricter. Gender-based violence has been reduced, and women’s safety and empowerment have improved as women’s issues are championed at the highest levels of government.

3. India: “One-Stop Centers” and the Nirbhaya Act

After the tragic 2012 Delhi gang rape, India enacted the Nirbhaya Act in 2013, which established stronger punishments for rape, harassment, and acid attacks. The government also created One-Stop Centers where survivors receive medical aid, legal counseling, and police assistance under one roof. This integrated approach has improved the reporting and prosecution of sexual violence cases. Additionally, several states have launched awareness campaigns to educate communities on women’s rights, further helping to reduce cases of violence.

4. Sweden: Consent-Based Laws

Sweden introduced a consent-based rape law in 2018, which stipulates that sex without explicit consent is classified as rape, even without evidence of force or threat. Since this law took effect, Sweden has seen an increase in convictions for sexual crimes, setting a new legal standard for handling consent. The law, combined with education on consent and respect, has led to improved protections for women and inspired similar legal reforms in other European countries.

5. Brazil: Maria da Penha Law Against Domestic Violence

Brazil’s Maria da Penha Law, passed in 2006, established special courts for domestic violence and introduced measures such as restraining orders and shelters for victims. The law was named after a domestic violence survivor who campaigned for stricter protections. Following its implementation, domestic violence cases decreased as enforcement strengthened. The law also mandates that schools educate students on gender-based violence and equality, contributing to changing attitudes over time.

6. South Korea: Workplace Harassment Laws and Public Safety Measures

In South Korea, amendments to the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the introduction of the Anti-Stalking Law have significantly improved protections for women in the workplace and public spaces. The Anti-Stalking Law, implemented in 2021, imposes penalties for persistent harassment, including fines and prison time. South Korea has also improved public safety with surveillance in high-risk areas and established safe reporting mechanisms, leading to a decline in cases of harassment and assault.

7. Canada: Community-Based Programs and Education

Canada has seen success with community-based programs that target youth, such as the Moose Hide Campaign—a movement involving Indigenous communities that encourages men to stand up against violence toward women. Educational campaigns in schools and communities have shifted attitudes, and women report feeling safer due to these preventive measures and supportive programs.

These examples underscore that tackling violence against women requires legal protections, accessible support services, educational programs, and community involvement. They show that reducing crimes against women is possible when there’s a dedicated, multi-pronged approach that addresses both enforcement and societal change.

These efforts seem very serious and defining, yet the monster refuses to die, that is precisely why the reported horrendous rape has been pronounced as SHOCKING but NOT SURPRISNG by women's rights activists. This reeks of frigid frustration, utter hopelessness and negativity. Women and girls cannot feel safe, danger of some form of assault always lurking around and not necessarily in aloof and dark spaces but in the heart of a roaring big city.

These incidents pull us back from the action and have a demoralizing effect on one and all. Capital punishment to the perpetrator of the crime can simply not make the victim forget all physical pains, injuries and mental scars.

We need to start from the beginning.

Families play a crucial role in fostering intrinsic respect for females, shaping beliefs and values from a young age. Here are some ways families can encourage respect and equality:

1. Model Respectful Relationships

• Demonstrate Equality: Children observe and emulate relationships around them. When they see parents and other family members treating each other with respect and equality—sharing decision-making, supporting one another—they learn that respect is essential in all relationships, regardless of gender.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Avoid assigning tasks or roles based on gender. Let both boys and girls see that men and women can equally participate in household chores, career pursuits, and caregiving.

2. Encourage Open Dialogue About Gender and Respect

• Talk About Gender Equality: Engage in discussions about fairness, equality, and gender respect, making sure to explain why respect for all people is important. Open conversations create a safe space for kids to ask questions and clarify beliefs.
• Address Biases: Discuss and dismantle biases that children might encounter in media, school, or community. For example, if a show or friend suggests that girls are “weaker” or “should be quiet,” challenge these ideas by sharing examples of strong, capable women.

3. Promote Empathy and Emotional Awareness

• Teach Empathy: Encourage children to consider others' perspectives and emotions. Empathy naturally leads to greater respect for others’ experiences and reduces behaviors like bullying or discrimination.
• Validate Emotions: Allow children to express their emotions and help them understand that all emotions, whether expressed by boys or girls, are valid. Boys and girls who feel secure expressing their feelings are more likely to respect emotional expression in others.

4. Encourage Equal Opportunities and Autonomy

• Support Interests Regardless of Gender: Let children explore their interests freely, whether it’s sports, arts, science, or nurturing roles, without steering them based on gender stereotypes. This reinforces that one’s value isn’t tied to gender-specific activities or roles.
• Promote Independence and Consent: Encourage children to set boundaries and respect others' boundaries. Teaching children about consent and bodily autonomy from a young age helps them understand personal space and respect, which is essential for healthy relationships.

5. Be Mindful of Language and Communication

• Use Inclusive Language: Avoid gendered labels like “boys don’t cry” or “girls are gentle.” Instead, use language that promotes individual traits, strengths, and capabilities, reinforcing that everyone has unique qualities and should be valued for them.
• Acknowledge Achievements Equally: Praise children for their achievements and qualities without bias. For example, avoid saying a girl is “pretty” while a boy is “brave.” Recognize both for their courage, kindness, intelligence, or hard work, promoting intrinsic value over appearance or traditional roles.

6. Celebrate Female Role Models and Positive Male Allies

• Highlight Positive Female Figures: Share stories about influential women from various fields, such as scientists, activists, athletes, and leaders. This shows children that girls and women contribute significantly to society and can aspire to greatness.
• Acknowledge Male Allies: Recognize and celebrate men who support gender equality, showing boys that they, too, have an important role in fostering respect and championing women’s rights.

7. Encourage Critical Thinking and Media Literacy

• Discuss Media Representation: Talk about how women and men are portrayed in media, pointing out stereotypes and discussing realistic, respectful portrayals. Encouraging children to think critically about what they see helps them understand and reject limiting gender norms.
• Challenge Gender Norms in Stories: When reading stories or watching movies, question the traditional roles assigned to male and female characters. This can open discussions about how gender roles in media can influence beliefs and behaviors.

8. Reinforce Accountability and Responsibility

• Hold Accountable: If disrespectful language or behavior arises, address it immediately with a calm, constructive approach. Explain why the behavior was harmful and suggest respectful alternatives.
• Encourage Responsibility for Actions: Instilling accountability in children helps them develop respect for others and understand the impact of their actions. This understanding promotes a sense of empathy and discourages harmful behaviors like teasing or exclusion based on gender.

By creating a family culture based on equality, respect, and open communication, parents can instill an intrinsic respect for females that children carry into all areas of their lives. These practices help ensure that children grow up viewing all people as equals, worthy of respect and dignity.

As per recent data released by National Crime Records Bureau (Ncrb) , in India a rape occurs every 16 minutes and we call ourselves advocates and torch-bearers of #Inclusion, Empowerment, Equity, Respect, Dignity, Safety etc. etc.

Each one of us is responsible for this dark dichotomy, a contradiction that must be removed from its roots by proactive surgery and conscious therapy.

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