An Inconvenient Truth

Sexual Violence and the Battle for Women's Safety in India

The December 2012 Delhi gang rape case, often referred to as the "Nirbhaya case" (meaning "fearless one"), marked a turning point in India's recognition of sexual violence. A 23-year-old physiotherapy student was attacked alongside her male friend after boarding a private bus in South Delhi. What followed was a brutal assault of unimaginable cruelty that lasted over an hour. The violence was so severe that the victim suffered catastrophic internal injuries requiring multiple surgeries. Despite being transferred to a specialized hospital in Singapore, she succumbed to her injuries thirteen days later. Her last words reportedly included the desire for her attackers to be brought to justice.

Perhaps equally disturbing was the apparent lack of remorse displayed by some of the perpetrators. In a prison interview, one of the convicted men blamed the victim for being out in the evening and suggested that "decent girls" wouldn't resist during an assault. This callous attitude revealed deeply entrenched misogynistic beliefs that view women as responsible for the violence inflicted upon them. The case ignited unprecedented public protests across India, with thousands demanding legislative reforms, improved security for women, and a fundamental shift in societal attitudes. It became a watershed moment that forced the nation to confront the reality of sexual violence that many Indian women had long endured in silence.

I remember feeling stunned and then increasingly disturbed as I fell down a rabbit hole of similar stories that rarely made international headlines. Often the most vulnerable women from marginalised communities are the ones suffering most. We do get news of the more horrific cases as well as those with international victims - here is the latest (though i’m sure out of date by now).

The Hathras Case (2020)

A 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gang-raped by four upper-caste men in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. She died from her injuries two weeks later. The case gained notoriety not only for the violence itself but for the authorities' handling of it—police cremated her body in the middle of the night without the family's consent, allegedly to suppress evidence. This case highlighted how caste hierarchies compound vulnerability to sexual violence.

Kathua Rape Case (2018)

An 8-year-old girl from the nomadic Bakarwal Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir was kidnapped, drugged, gang-raped for days in a temple, and then murdered. The case became highly politicized, with some local groups even rallying in support of the accused. It exposed how sexual violence can be weaponized against religious minority communities.

Delta Meghwal Case (2016)

A 17-year-old Dalit girl studying at a teacher training institution in Rajasthan was found dead in a water tank after reporting sexual assault by a teacher. Her death was initially dismissed as suicide, and there were allegations of institutional cover-up. The case highlighted the vulnerability of Dalit students in educational institutions.

Bhagana Gang Rape Case (2014)

Four Dalit girls, aged between 13 and 18, were abducted and gang-raped in Bhagana village of Haryana. The attack followed a long-standing land dispute where upper-caste villagers had been attempting to drive Dalit families from the village. This case demonstrated how sexual violence is sometimes used as a tool in broader caste conflicts.

Despite having Indian parents, I'd somehow remained sheltered from this reality. Being a guy from a South Indian family probably had something to do with it – these things just weren't talked about openly where I'm from. I never thought to ask the women in my family if they felt unsafe or had their own stories – those conversations simply weren't part of our family dynamic.

Beyond the news stories - recently, I was watching a Bollywood movie where the core plot was making light of sexual assault - making it seem like because no serious harm was intended - its not a big deal. I was shocked with both the portrayal and casual response of the viewers. The movie did really well in the box office and reviews don’t seem to have a problem with the portrayal of sexual violence against women. I was shocked but then realized I shouldn't have been. This has made me want to revisit this issue and really try to understand what's going on – both the hard statistics and the cultural stuff beneath the surface that drives this problem.

"Item songs" represent one of Bollywood's most controversial cultural exports and deserve particular scrutiny for their role in normalizing objectification of women. These highly sexualized dance numbers typically feature a scantily-clad woman performing provocative moves for the male gaze, often with no connection to the film's plot. With lyrics frequently filled with double entendres and camera work that fragments women's bodies into consumable parts, these sequences reduce female characters to visual commodities designed for male pleasure. Popular numbers like "Sheila Ki Jawani," "Munni Badnaam," and "Chikni Chameli" have garnered hundreds of millions of views, demonstrating their cultural penetration. While defenders argue these performances represent female sexual liberation, the reality is more complex—the women in these sequences rarely have character development or agency beyond their sexual appeal. The pervasiveness of item songs in mainstream cinema contributes to a culture where women's bodies are presented as available for consumption and judgment, potentially normalizing behaviors ranging from catcalling to more serious forms of harassment. The impact becomes particularly concerning when considering that Bollywood reaches audiences across age groups, including impressionable children and adolescents, shaping their earliest understandings of gender and sexuality.

The Statistical Reality

Beyond the psychological trauma and physical injuries, sexual violence in India frequently escalates to murder or drives victims to suicide. The brutality often extends beyond what's needed to subdue victims, suggesting a deeper intent to punish, dominate, or eliminate those perceived as violating social norms. In cases like Nirbhaya's, assailants used metal objects causing catastrophic internal injuries. In honor killings following sexual assault, families sometimes strangle, poison, or behead victims to "restore family honor." The trauma of sexual violence drives many survivors to take their own lives—a study from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences found that sexual assault survivors were 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Death becomes the final, tragic outcome in a continuum of violence that begins with everyday discrimination and escalates through harassment, assault, and torture. These deaths—whether by perpetrator violence or suicide—represent the ultimate silencing of women's voices in a society that often values female "purity" over female lives.

As with everything, numbers can give us a grounding on what is happening. The data presents a sobering picture:

• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), reported incidents of crime against women increased by a staggering 87% from 228,650 in 2011 to 428,278 in 2021.

• One rape is reported every 16 minutes in India, with 31,677 rape cases registered in 2021 (approximately 86 cases daily).

• Notably, nearly 89% of reported rapes were committed by someone known to the victim.

• Domestic violence constitutes more than 30% of all crimes against women, with 106,527 cases of cruelty by husbands or relatives reported in 2012, increasing to 118,866 by 2013.

• The conviction rate for rape cases has declined from 44.3% in 1973 to just 27.8% in 2019.

This is shocking, statistics do a great job of hiding the human tragedy behind each of these numbers. Furthermore, some studies suggest that up to 71% of rape crimes remain unreported, primarily due to fear of retaliation, stigmatisation and lack of faith in the justice system. A UN study of 57 countries estimates just 11% of rape and sexual assault cases worldwide are ever reported.

I wanted to compare these statistics against global numbers to see if maybe India got the headlines but actually the incidents per capita are in line with the rest of the world.

Unfortunately - this paints a wildly inaccurate picture for two reasons:

• Each country uses its own definition of rape - here is the definition in India which is flawed for a few reasons (despite a major update in 2013)

  • Focus on force rather than consent - there is a focus on force or resistance rather than exclusively on whether consent was freely given.

  • Exception for marital rape - if you are married it cannot be rape

  • Lack of contextual understanding on coercion - many countries have a comprehensive framework for the spectrum of situations where consent is undermined

Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013

• Reporting rates are very much a function of the society. In India - there are a number of reasons why women don’t report incidents

  • Fear of Family Dishonour and Social Stigma

  • Limited Trust in the Justice System

  • Victim-Blaming Culture

  • Economic Dependency

  • Normalisation of Violence

Forms of Violence Beyond Rape

While rape dominates media headlines and public discourse about sexual violence in India, it represents just one facet of a much broader pattern of gender-based violence. The spectrum of violence against women encompasses numerous forms that are often less discussed but equally devastating. These practices are entrenched in cultural, economic, and social systems that devalue women's autonomy and dignity throughout their lives - from before birth to death. Understanding this fuller picture is essential for addressing the root causes rather than just the symptoms of gender-based violence.

• Dowry deaths: 6,589 cases were registered in 2021, with highest numbers in Uttar Pradesh. These murders or suicides result from harassment and torture of women whose families cannot meet continuing demands for dowry payments after marriage. Despite the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, the practice remains widespread, with families of brides expected to provide expensive gifts to grooms and their families.

• Honour killings: Most prevalent in northern states like Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These murders occur when families believe a woman has brought "dishonour" to them, often for refusing arranged marriages, choosing their own partners (particularly from different castes), or simply for being victims of sexual assault. Village councils (khap panchayats) sometimes order these killings to enforce caste boundaries and social norms.

• Female infanticide: The Pew Research Centre estimated 9 million females missing from the Indian population between 2000-2019. This practice stems from the economic burden daughters represent due to dowry expectations and their perceived inability to care for parents in old age. Modern technology has shifted this practice toward sex-selective abortion, with studies finding that out of 8,000 abortions, 7,997 were performed on female fetuses.

• Acid attacks: Between 2014 and 2018, 1,483 victims registered cases, with women constituting 72% of victims. These attacks often target a woman's face to permanently disfigure her, typically motivated by rejected romantic advances, family disputes, or property conflicts. The lasting physical and psychological scars leave victims with limited opportunities for education, employment, and marriage.

• Human trafficking and forced prostitution: Violations under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act increased by 5.3% between 2011 and 2012. Young women and girls, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are especially vulnerable to being trafficked within and across borders. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh reported the highest numbers of cases, accounting for nearly 38% of nationwide violations.

• Domestic violence: Constituting 30% of all crimes against women, this encompasses physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse within households. The National Family Health Survey found that 86% of women who experienced domestic violence never told anyone about it, internalizing the belief that they deserved punishment for being "inadequate" wives.

• Modesty-related violence: These include assaults and insults "intended to outrage a woman's modesty" - a terminology that itself reflects outdated notions about female virtue and honour. In 2012 alone, over 45,000 such cases were reported, with significant increases in subsequent years.

Each of these forms of violence represents not just individual criminal acts but manifestations of deeper systemic issues related to gender inequality, economic pressures, and cultural norms. They form a continuum of violence that shapes many Indian women's lives, creating an environment where safety and bodily autonomy cannot be taken for granted. Addressing sexual violence effectively requires recognizing and confronting this full spectrum of gender-based violence and the underlying factors that sustain it.

Underlying Causes of Sexual Violence in India

Several interconnected factors contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence against women in India. Understanding these root causes is essential for developing effective interventions that address not just the symptoms but the systemic issues that perpetuate violence.

1. Deeply Rooted Patriarchy

The foundation of much violence lies in India's patriarchal social structure:

• 65% of Indian men believe women should tolerate violence to keep families together.

• 24% of Indian men admitted to having committed sexual violence at some point.

• 38% of men acknowledged physically abusing their partners.

These attitudes reflect a society where male dominance is normalised and violence against women is often justified as a means of maintaining social order. Patriarchal structures are reinforced through various social institutions:

• Family structures that prioritise sons and view daughters as temporary members who will eventually join another family through marriage

• Religious practices that sometimes exclude women from leadership roles or sacred spaces

• Inheritance laws that, despite reforms, often result in women having less economic power and property ownership

• Decision-making patterns where men control major household and community decisions, including those directly affecting women's lives and bodies

2. Gender Inequality Begins Early

Inequality begins in childhood:

• While 80% of boys attend primary school, only about half of girls receive the same opportunity.

• Female children often receive less food and less nutritious diets compared to male children.

• India ranked 135th out of 146 countries in the Gender Gap Index in 2022, with a rating of 0.629.

This early disparity establishes a pattern that continues throughout women's lives, creating vulnerability to violence. The preferential treatment of boys manifests in numerous ways:

• Resource allocation within households favours male children for education, nutrition, healthcare, and parental attention

• Differential expectations where girls are trained primarily for domestic roles while boys are prepared for public and economic roles

• Early marriage practices that cut short girls' education and adolescent development, with around 1.5 million girls married before age 18 annually

3. Cultural Normalisation of Violence

Several cultural factors contribute to the persistence of violence:

• The National Family Health Survey found that 45% of women believe husbands are justified in beating their wives under certain circumstances.

• In southern states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, approximately 80% of wives agree that husbands are justified in resorting to physical violence.

• Concepts of family honour place enormous pressure on women to remain silent about abuse.

Additional cultural elements that normalise violence include:

• Traditional proverbs and sayings that liken women to property or suggest that physical "correction" of wives is normal

• Community acceptance of "disciplining" women who challenge gender norms or family authority

• Celebration of male aggression as a positive trait while female assertiveness is viewed negatively

• Concepts of female purity that place responsibility for maintaining family honour primarily on women's behaviour

4. Media Influences and Popular Culture

Indian media, particularly Bollywood, often reinforces problematic gender norms and attitudes:

• Romanticisation of stalking and harassment where persistent pursuit of women despite rejection is portrayed as romantic determination rather than threatening behaviour

• Item numbers (songs in movies) that objectify women's bodies and normalise male entitlement to female sexuality

• Storylines that glorify male possessiveness as a form of love rather than control

• Victim-blaming narratives where female characters who experience violence are implied to have invited it through their clothing or behaviour

• Dialogue and jokes that trivialise sexual harassment or assault, presenting them as humorous rather than harmful (as I found in the movie I watched)

• Limited female character development with women often serving primarily as love interests defined by their relationship to male protagonists

• Rescue narratives where women's value is tied to their sexual purity which must be protected or avenged by male characters

While there has been some improvement in recent years with films addressing sexual violence more critically, mainstream cinema continues to influence social attitudes in ways that can normalise or trivialise violence against women.

These interconnected factors create a complex ecosystem where violence against women is simultaneously condemned in principle but enabled in practice. Addressing sexual violence effectively requires interventions at multiple levels—from individual attitudes and family practices to institutional responses and legislative frameworks—with particular attention to the underlying gender inequalities that make women vulnerable to violence in the first place.

Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle, Creating New Possibilities

When I first learned about the Delhi bus rape in 2012, like many others, I hoped this horrific incident would mark a turning point. In some ways, it did—sparking unprecedented protests, legal reforms, and public conversations about sexual violence. Yet over a decade later, the statistics remain grim, and my recent experience watching sexual assault being trivialised in mainstream Bollywood shows how deeply normalised violence against women remains in many aspects of Indian culture.

The path forward requires not just outrage at individual cases but a fundamental reimagining of gender relations in India. This means challenging the patriarchal values that devalue women from before birth, confronting the economic systems that maintain women's dependency, transforming institutions that fail victims, and creating cultural narratives that celebrate women's autonomy and dignity.

Change is possible. We've seen it in the growing women's movements across India, in brave survivors speaking out despite enormous obstacles, in families choosing to raise sons and daughters equally, and in communities developing their own solutions to violence. The widespread protests following the 2012 Delhi case demonstrated that millions of Indians desire a society where women can live free from violence and fear.

Creating this society requires acknowledging uncomfortable truths about how deeply violence against women is embedded in our culture. It means having conversations that many families—including my own—have long avoided. It means men like me examining our own attitudes and actions, calling out harmful behaviour, and actively supporting women's leadership in addressing these issues.

For me, writing this piece has been part of breaking my own silence and confronting realities I had the privilege to ignore. The statistics are overwhelming, the stories heartbreaking. But within them lies the possibility for transformation—not just of laws and institutions, but of the fundamental ways we understand gender, power, and violence in Indian society.

The journey toward a safer India for women will be long and challenging, but it begins with each of us refusing to look away, questioning what we've been taught about gender, and committing to create communities where violence is neither normalised nor tolerated. This is the work ahead—for policymakers and citizens, for institutions and individuals, for men and women together. The statistics of sexual violence in India tell a devastating story, but they need not determine our future.

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Some organisations to look into if you want to donate / get involved.