Acid Attacks: The Gnawing Problem of Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

Violence against women is rooted in unequal power relations between men and women. An acid attack (Vitriolage) is a gender based crime against women and is one of the most brutal forms of violence, in which acid is thrown onto the face and body of women with the intention of disfiguring her. This paper is an attempt to reflect the most gnawing issue of chemical assault with acid prevailing in India. It is much more intentional act and graver than even rape and murder. This gruesome crime footprints the victim miserable living condition or even it results in death. Acid is perhaps the most easily available lethal weapon, capable of causing death or at least permanent disfigurement and in some cases, blinding, quite instantly. Although acid attack can be resorted to against anybody, in India and other south-Asian countries, it has mostly been gender specific. This extreme form of violence has been used against women for taking revenge in cases of rejection of marriage proposals, sexual advances and as a means of domestic violence. As per the reports of the National Crime Records Bureau, there have been 1402 (source: Crime Statistics reports of NCRB2014 to 2018, released in January 2020) reported cases of acid attacks and attempts there to in these five years. The number of victims in these attacks as stated to be 1483. In such situations, it is very pertinent to discuss the present laws that governing this crime and the horrendous effects that acid attacks have on the victims-physically, psychologically, socially and economically. Additionally this paper, aims to bring acid attacks and the concept of skin banking in our mainstream conversations so that more and more people are aware of them. Donation of eyes has become a widespread practice, but people are still not aware of skin donation. Highlighting and talking about such causes openly and even on public platforms will help spread the word.