Violence In India Research Articles

Survivors of Child Sexual Violence in India and Their Search for Justice: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Survivors of Child Sexual Violence in India and Their Search for Justice: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Integrating Environmental Forensics in Criminal Investigation: Needs and Methods

Environmental crimes are increasing day by day. There is a need to implement stringent measures to protect the environment. This paper addresses the approaches adopted by different international organizations in tackling environmental crimes, the increasing trend of environmental crimes in India, and the legal redress mechanisms followed in India against environmental wrongs. Our assessment of the global environmental crime scenario revealed that the convergence of environmental crimes with other types of crimes causes complexity in different stages of law enforcement. We recommend integrating environmental forensics into criminal investigation to address the issue and suggest ways to do so.

Does women empowerment associate with reduced risks of intimate partner violence in India? evidence from National Family Health Survey-5.

Women empowerment is commonly believed to be an important factor affecting a woman's likelihood of facing violence from her intimate partner. Even as countries invest in policies that aim to strengthen women empowerment, studies show that increase in women empowerment does not necessarily decrease intimate partner violence (IPV) against them. Against this paradox, the present study seeks to understand the specific empowerment components that associate with IPV against women in India. It also studies the state-level distribution of the different types of IPV. The study analyses state-level data from the National Family Health Survey, India (2019-21). A total of 72,056 women responded to the domestic violence questionnaire. The Dimension Index (DI) was used to compute composite scores for Women Empowerment and for IPV to rank states and Union Territories. The correlation between Women Empowerment and IPV scores was determined using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The state of Karnataka had the highest composite score of IPV and also showed the highest burdens of physical, sexual and emotional IPV, while Lakshadweep had the lowest burden. Physical IPV was the most common form of IPV for most states across the country. The states in the western part of India had reduced burdens for all three types of IPV. Three specific components of empowerment, viz. household decision-making and mobile phone ownership significantly associated with reduction of all three types of IPV. Hygienic menstrual practices strongly associated with reduction of sexual and emotional IPV. However, property ownership of women increased risks of all three types of IPV, while employment had no significant association with any type of IPV. The study found no significant reduction in overall IPV with improvement in women empowerment. However, it identifies components of empowerment that associate with IPV. Household decision-making, ownership of mobile phones, and hygienic menstrual practices associated with a lowered risk. By contrast, owning property increased the risk. The findings of this study would inform future research and intervention that aim to strengthen specific components of women empowerment in India and other low-and-middle-income countries.

Corporate Fraud and White Collar Crime: Challenges and Countermeasures

The research analyzes the legal and regulatory frame governing commercial fraud and white- collar crime in India. It assesses the strengths and shortcomings of the regulatory environment. The paper delves into the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in detecting, probing, and executing white- collar culprits. It considers factors similar as the complexity of financial crimes and the hurdles in substantiation gathering. The research evaluates the consequences of commercial fraud and white- collar crime on India's frugality and society. This includes examining the impact on investor confidence, job security, and public trust. The paper offers recommendations and countermeasures to address the linked challenges and alleviate the threat of commercial fraud in India.

Unraveling the Complex Web of Financial and Economic Crime in India

In the tapestry of India's economic landscape, the prevalence of financial and economic crimes has emerged as a multifaceted challenge. From fraud and money laundering to corruption and tax evasion, these illicit activities not only undermine the integrity of financial systems but also impede the nation's economic growth. This article delves into the intricate layers of financial and economic crime in India, exploring its root causes, consequences, and the ongoing efforts to combat it.

Factors and Patterns Associated with Juvenile Delinquency with reference to Juvenile Crimes in India

Objectives: This study aims to examine the patterns in juvenile delinquency based on factors including age, gender, offence type, and characteristics used in NCRB reports and to comprehend the various factors that contribute to juvenile crime. Methods: This study was done using the secondary data which was collected from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports in the year of 2017 to 2021 by the Government of India. Result and discussion: The analysis of the aforementioned data reveals that there is a higher level of juvenile crimes in India especially in various states. It also shows that a significant proportion of juvenile individuals have unfortunately fallen victim to a multitude of socio-economic pressures, including poverty, inadequate parental guidance, limited access to education, and the influence of peer groups. The crime rate in India has exhibited a notable upward trend over the years, accompanied by a concerning decline in the rate of convictions. Conclusion: The issue of juvenile delinquency necessitates focused consideration and an approach that prioritizes the well-being of children, with an emphasis on safeguarding and proactive measures to prevent their involvement in deviant behaviour. Research Implications: The findings can have implications for policymakers and educators in the realm of pedagogy development. Additionally, it bears relevance for family members and other stakeholders who play a crucial role in fostering the comprehensive growth and development of children.

Climate and Gender: Association Between Droughts and Intimate Partner Violence in India.

Extreme climate events are related to women's exposure to different forms of violence. We examined the relationship between droughts and physical, sexual, and emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) in India by using 2 different definitions of drought: precipitation-based drought and socioeconomic drought. We analyzed data from 2 rounds of a nationally representative survey, the National Family Health Survey, where married women were asked about their experiences of IPV in the previous year (2015-2016 and 2019-2021; n=122,696). Precipitation-based drought was estimated using remote sensing data and geographic information system (GIS) mapping, while socioeconomic drought status was collected from government records. Logistic regression models showed precipitation-based drought to increase the risk of experiencing physical IPV and emotional IPV. Similar findings were observed for socioeconomic drought; women residing in areas classified as drought-impacted by the government were more likely to report physical IPV, sexual IPV, and emotional IPV. These findings support the growing body of evidence regarding the relationship between climate change and women's vulnerability, and highlight the need for gender responsive strategies for disaster management and preparedness.

Fieldworker effects on quality of data collected on sensitive questions in National Family Health Surveys: An analysis based on intimate partner violence in India

National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has played a pivotal role in formulating policies and programs by providing nationally representative data on a wide range of monitoring and impact evaluation indicators in population, health and nutrition. However, due to measurement errors resulting in misreporting, the collection of accurate data on sensitive issues in sample surveys has always been a matter of concern. This study examines the fieldworker effect on the reporting of physical, sexual, and emotional Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) using fifth round of NFHS (2019-21) data in India. The cross-classified multi-level model was used to examine the fieldworker's effect on the reporting of IPV. The fieldworker effect accounted for around 32% of total variation in the reporting of intimate partner violence. The fieldworker's effect varied from 26% to 41 % for physical violence, 29% to 33% for emotional IPV and 30%–36% for sexual IPV. It was observed that variation due to fieldworker for non-sensitive outcomes was negligible.Of total variation, only 1.6% for information related to ever attending school, 4.8% for ever given birth, 5% for currently pregnant and 8.5% for information on ever terminated pregnancy was being explained by the fieldworker. Our results indicate a significant fieldworker influence on the likelihood of reporting intimate partner violence, underlining the need for an increased understanding of the impact of fieldworkers on data outputs, especially—but not exclusively—when queries contain delicate or stigmatized themes. This study highlights the importance of providing extra guidance and special training to the fieldworkers when collecting sensitive information related to IPV.

Inequality and Caste-Based Crime in India

Using data from the National Crime Records Bureau and National Sample Survey data, this paper uses a spatial regression technique to examine the effect of intercaste inequality on caste-based violence in India. Our results show that when the socioeconomic gap between the upper and lower castes decreases, upper caste violence against the lower castes increases. This result is interpreted as the upper castes reacting to changes in threat perception caused by changes in the relative positions of these two groups.

Rethinking “transfer” in the transgenerational transmission of trauma: A qualitative study of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence

Traumatic events, in their aftermath, often induce feelings of injustice or exclusion due to the hierarchies of survivor/non-survivor, religion, race, gender, and so forth, as well as the apathy of governance. However, the transfer of trauma and healing from survivors to their next generation is conceptualized around the past traumatic event and post-traumatic stress disorder. A constructivist grounded theory analysis of the voices of parent survivors and their next generation associated with the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India is utilized to explore a potential bidirectional transfer of social suffering and healing within the parent–child dyad. The categories suggesting a bidirectional transfer of social suffering are (a) “child inundated,” due to the inadequacy of resources or support, and (b) “parent’s remorse” over being incapacitated and unable to care. The findings do not clearly indicate parent-to-child transfer of healing, yet there are indications of parents’ healing being contributed to by children’s positive and uplifting experiences in the category “parent’s satisfaction through child’s growth and happiness.”

Prevalence and risk factors of physical violence against husbands: evidence from India.

As the proportion of women being victims of spousal violence in India is higher than men, laws are usually framed to safeguard women. However, men who have experienced physical spousal violence are not unheard of. The study aims to provide the nationwide prevalence of physical violence against husbands and the risk factors for such violence, using large-scale nationally representative 'National Family Health Survey' (NFHS 4) data. The study used descriptive, bivariate, logistic, and multilevel regression models with a random intercept clustering within states and households to explain the physical violence against husband. Sample size for the analysis was 62,716 currently married women aged 15-49 years. Findings revealed that in most of the states of India, physical spousal violence has increased over time. Behavioural characteristics like marital control, alcoholism, and childhood experience of parental violence have a consistent and strong role in explaining the experience of physical violence across states. With age, experience of violence against husbands increases. Differences in socio-economic characteristics do not have unidirectional effect on violence experienced by husbands across regions of India. Working women who are earning cash and having access to mobile phones perpetrate more physical violence in selected regions. Education shows a gradient on such violence perpetration, indicating that only after achieving a certain level of education, chances of violence reduce. Regionally contrasting social and economic risk factors in explaining violence strengthen the argument that violence is space and culture-specific, and development alone may not resolve violence unless the system is addressing the behavioural aspects. There is a need for supporting men experiencing domestic violence within the existing system facilities. Revisiting the present domestic violence laws and programmes for inclusivity is the need of the hour.

Conceptual experimentation through design in pedagogical contexts: lessons from an anti-hate crime project in India

ABSTRACT This paper explores how modes of thinking and practice that are characteristic of design-based disciplines – “designerly ways” – might contribute to the migration and integration of legal concepts, by prompting and facilitating conceptual experimentation in pedagogical contexts. It uses the example of a project which invited those working against targeted violence in India to experiment with the concept of “hate crime” – that is, of crimes motivated by hostility or prejudice towards the victim’s identity. It concludes that conceptual experimentation is especially useful and urgent when debating the risks and rewards around the migration of globally established legal concepts, such as hate crime, into specific local contexts, such as India; and especially where the sociolegal context renders such debate risky. And it concludes that designerly ways can help to ensure that any such migration is “provincialised”, and the concept itself is enriched in the process.

Archives as the Infrastructure of Anti-Muslim Violence in India

Archives as the Infrastructure of Anti-Muslim Violence in India

Nuptial Rape: Rape Within Marriage

Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 Criminalizes ’Rape’ under Offences Affecting the Human Body, where prevails an oddly fitted exception to this Section, which states: Sexual intercourse by a man with his wife who is not less than 15 years of age does not amount to the offence of rape. Marital Rape, a non-criminalized crime in India is where the victim herself does not know she is a victim of Marital Rape. It is one of the most under-reported crimes with 77% of women never seeking any aid regarding the violence they ever experienced. The section clearly states that rape within marriage cannot be treated as a criminal offence unless the wife is below 15 years of age. Considering the repercussions, the adverse effect on mental health highly caused by marital rape due to its non-criminalization, especially in India is reviewed legally and psychologically in this paper. The data for the above piece of research has been taken from Secondary sources: law sites, search engines, research articles, Google Scholar etc.

Reliable local data for effective prevention of intimate partner violence in India

Reliable local data for effective prevention of intimate partner violence in India

Child Marriage and Intimate Partner Violence in India: A National Study

Child marriage (CM) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are two global public health concerns, particularly in developing nations such as India. Despite this, evidence of the association between the two is limited. This study aims to examine the association between CM and lifetime experiences of IPV among Indian women. The study utilized the National Family Health Survey, 2019–2021 (NFHS-5), a large scale representative survey, to examine the association between CM and lifetime experiences of IPV in India. A total of 60,480 participants (Mage = 33.67 years) were included in the analysis. The prevalence of CM in the current sample was 38.3%. Experiencing any form of IPV, including emotional IPV, physical IPV, injuries, and sexual IPV, was reported by 29.9%, 11.9%, 26.4%, 6.0%, and 5.2%, participants respectively. Logistic regressions indicated that getting married before the age of 18 was significantly associated with experiencing any form of IPV (odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.47–1.58, p < 0.01)), emotional IPV (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.26–1.49, p < 0.01), physical IPV (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.52–1.63, p < 0.01), injuries (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.51–1.72, p < 0.01), and sexual IPV (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.32–1.53, p < 0.01) from their intimate partners. Findings suggest that interventions are required for substantial reductions in CM and IPV.

DHEERA reaching the young, a novel approach addressing gender-based violence in India.

To understand, build capacities, give guidance, and support school-going adolescent boys and girls on gender stereotypes and violence against women (VAW) and to assess the role of educational training in improving knowledge, attitudes, and practice to stop VAW. An educational interventional study was conducted for a period of 18 months across schools in India, involving boys and girls studying in grades 9-12. Assessment of the program's effectiveness on influencing young minds in breaking the taboos surrounding gender stereotypes and stopping VAW was completed through a pre-test and post-test, consisting of 12 scenario-based questions. In all, 8931 participants (64% girls and 36% boys) from 26 states in India submitted their pre-test, post-test, and feedback forms. Participants showed improved clarity and comprehension on issues surrounding VAW/gender-based violence. There was a significant improvement in the knowledge on what actions can be taken and whom to approach for cases related to VAW/gender-based violence. The post-test survey showed a high level of commitment to overcoming gender stereotyping and stopping VAW. This unique nationwide study demonstrated the effectiveness of an educational intervention that led to improved knowledge, attitude, and commitment towards stopping VAW. A large-scale program can be self-sustaining when it is embedded in the schools responsible for shaping young minds.

“Examining GITAM (Deemed to be University) and Osmania Universities in Hyderabad for Crime Prevention through Environmental Design measures”: A foundation towards a safe CPTED exterior campus model

Campus violence in India is a significant public health issue that needs to be addressed in the present scenario. It affects the user groups physically and psychologically. As per the statistical report of Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) in 2020-21, the total crime incidents occurred in India are 136 along with 2385 harmed members.Out of which the crime rate in Telangana has increased by 4.4% from 2021-2022. The paper attempts to highlight various emerging problems in most of the Indian campuses and as an architect, what has to be adopted while planning for spaces to prevent Crime through Environmental Designing (CPTED) in future is explained. These are achieved by conducting surveys and analyzing based on users and author’s perception at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) and Osmania University (OU) campuses of Hyderabad. Along with these, secondary data from relevant research papers were obtained and finally formulating architectural findings for an exterior safe campus model. The scope for future research, are adopting the mentioned findings in future campuses and checking for crime reduction rate, along with interior spaces and mechanical systems for CPTED measures. The result of this paper has important implications for the college authorities in India to find practical solutions and plan student- friendly frameworks to prevent violence on a macro level in campuses.

Rising Hate Crime in India: A Gender and Religion Perspective

Hate crime refers to criminal acts that are motivated by prejudice or bias towards a particular group based on factors such as race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. In recent years, India has witnessed a disturbing trend of increasing hate crime incidents targeting individuals or groups based on their gender or religion. These incidents have serious implications for the affected communities, social cohesion, and the overall well-being of the society. This research paper aims to examine the issue of rising hate crime in India, with a specific focus on the gender and religion perspectives. Hate crimes in India refer to violent or abusive acts committed against individuals or groups based on their identity, such as religion, caste, or gender. These types of crimes are often motivated by a deep-seated prejudice or bias, and can have serious physical, emotional, and social consequences for the victims and their families. Keywords Crime, Gender, Caste, Religion, Politics, State Objectives

Acid Attacks in India and the Role of Stakeholders: A Journey From Victim to Survivor

With the increase in acid-related violence in India, vitriolage has become one of the most gruesome forms of hate crimes to be conceived and committed. This crime was majorly associated with being one of the most heinous atrocities against women. Still, in recent times, it has been observed that acid attacks are not gender specific anymore. This study set out to determine the reasons why people use acid, as well as the difficulties that assault victims face. It also recommends actions taken to address such issues and the involvement of all parties engaged in rehabilitating acid attack survivors while considering gender. The researcher followed a multiple case study approach, conducted thorough semi-structured interviews of 22 acid attack survivors and used secondary data sources. We found that acid attacks happen out of jealousy, anger, greed and ego issues, among other causes, and that it is not a gender-specific crime. Stakeholders greatly help in adopting strategies and measures that facilitate acid attack survivors.