CRIMES AGAINST

WOMEN
PAPER – CRIME
MODULE 3.4
AKHILA MURALEEDHARAN K
ASST. PROFESSOR, SNGCAS MEZHUVELI, PTA
 Violence against women in India refer to physical or sexual
violence committed against a woman, typically by a man. Common
forms of violence against women in India include acts such as 
domestic abuse, sexual assault, and murder. In order to be
considered violence against women, the act must be committed solely
because the victim is female. Most typically, these acts are committed
by men as a result of the long-standing gender inequalities present in
the country.
 Violence against women in India is actually more
present than it may appear at first glance, as many
expressions of violence are not considered crimes, or
may otherwise go unreported or undocumented due to
certain Indian cultural values and beliefs. These reasons
all contribute to India's Gender Inequality Index rating of
0.524 in 2017, putting it in the bottom 20% of ranked
countries for that year.
 According to the National Crime Records Bureau of India, reported
incidents of crime against women increased 6.4% during 2012, and a
crime against a woman is committed every three minutes. According to
the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2011, there were greater than
228,650 reported incidents of crime against women, while in 2015,
there were over 300,000 reported incidents, a 44% increase. Of the
women living in India, 7.5% live in West Bengal where 12.7% of the
total reported crime against women occurs. Andhra Pradesh is home
to 7.3% of India's female population and accounts for 11.5% of the
total reported crimes against women.
 65% of Indian men believe women should tolerate violence in
order to keep the family together, and women sometimes deserve
to be beaten. In January 2011, the International Men and Gender
Equality Survey (IMAGES) Questionnaire reported that 24% of
Indian men had committed sexual violence at some point during
their lives.
Exact statistics on the extent case occurrences are very
difficult to obtain, as a large number of cases go unreported. This
is due in large part to the threat of ridicule or shame on the part of
the potential reporter, as well as an immense pressure not to
damage the family's honor. For similar reasons, law enforcement
officers are more motivated to accept offers of bribery from the
family of the accused, or perhaps in fear of more grave
consequences, such as Honor Killings
DOWRY DEATH

A dowry death is the murder or suicide of a married woman caused by

a dispute over her dowry. In some cases, husbands and in-laws will
attempt to extort a greater dowry through continuous harassment and
torture which sometimes results in the wife committing suicide, or the
exchange of gifts, money, or property upon marriage of a family's
daughter.
The majority of these suicides are done through hanging, poisoning
or self-immolation. When a dowry death is done by setting the woman
on fire, it is called bride burning. Bride burning murder is often set up
to appear to be a suicide or accident, sometimes by setting the
woman on fire in such a way that it appears she ignited while cooking
at a kerosene stove. Dowry is illegal in India, but it is still common
practice to give expensive gifts to the groom and his relatives at
weddings which are hosted by the family of the bride.
HONOR KILLINGS

An honor killing is a murder of a family member who has been considered to

have brought dishonour and shame upon the family. Examples of reasons for
honor killings include the refusal to enter an arranged marriage, committing
adultery, choosing a partner that the family disapproves of, and becoming a
victim of rape.
The most prominent areas where honor killings occur in India are northern
regions. Honor killings are especially seen in Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, 
Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Honor killings
have notably increased in some Indian states which has led to the 
Supreme Court of India, in June 2010, issuing notices to both the Indian central
government and six states to take preventative measures against honor killings.
WITCHCRAFT-RELATED MURDERS
Murders of women accused of witchcraft still occur in India. Poor women, widows, and women
from lower CASTES ARE MOST AT RISK OF SUCH KILLINGS.

FEMALE INFANTICIDE AND SEX-SELECTIVE ABORTION

Female infanticide is the elected killing of a newborn female child or the termination of a female
fetus through sex-selective abortion. Once these modern prenatal diagnostic techniques
determine the sex of the fetus, families then are able to decide if they would like to abort based
on sex. One study found that 7,997 of 8,000 abortions were of female fetuses. The 
Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act of 1994 (PCPNDT Act 1994) was
modified in 2003 in order to target medical professionals. The Act has proven ineffective due to
the lack of implementation. Sex-selective abortions have totaled approximately 4.2-12.1 million
from 1980-2010. There was a greater increase in the number of sex-selective abortions in the
1990s than the 2000s. Poorer families are responsible for a higher proportion of abortions than
wealthier families. Significantly more abortions occur in rural areas versus urban areas when
the first child is female.
RAPE
India is considered to be one of the world’s most dangerous country
for sexual violence against women. Rape is one of the most common
crimes in India. Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 defines rape as
penile and non-penile penetration in bodily orifices of a woman by a
man, without the consent of the woman. According to the National
Crime Records Bureau, one woman is raped every 20 minutes in
India. Incidents of reported rape increased 3% from 2011 to
2012. Incidents of reported incest rape increased 46.8% from 268
cases in 2011 to 392 cases in 2012. 
 Year Reported rapes
2008 21,467
2009 21,397
2010 22,172
2011 24,206
2012 24,923
2013 34,707
2014 36,735
2015 34,651
MARITAL RAPE

In India, marital rape is not a criminal offense. India is one of

fifty countries that have not yet outlawed marital rape. 20% of
Indian men admit to forcing their wives or partners to have sex.
Marital rape can be classified into one of three types:
•Battering rape: This includes both physical and sexual
violence. The majority of marital rape victims experience
battering rape.
•Force-only rape: Husbands use the minimum amount of force
necessary to coerce his wife.
•Compulsive or obsessive rape: Torture and/or "perverse"
sexual acts occur and are often physically violent.
INSULT TO MODESTY

Modesty-related violence against women includes assaults on women

with intent to outrage her modesty and insults to the modesty of
women. From 2011 to 2012, there was a 5.5% increase in reported
assaults on women with intent to outrage her modesty. 
Madhya Pradesh had 6,655 cases, accounting for 14.7% of the
national incidents. From 2011 to 2012, there was a 7.0% increase in
reported insults to the modesty of women. Andhra Pradesh had 3,714
cases, accounting for 40.5% of the national accounts, and 
Maharashtra had 3,714 cases, accounting for 14.1% of the national
accounts.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND FORCED PROSTITION

From 2011 to 2012, there was a 26.3% decrease in girls imported to India
from another country. Karnataka had 32 cases, and West Bengal had 12
cases, together accounting for 93.2% of the total cases nationwide.
From 2011 to 2012, there was a 5.3% increase in violations of the
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956. Tamil Nadu had 500 incidents,
accounting for 19.5% of the total nationwide, and Andhra Pradesh had
472 incidents, accounting for 18.4% of the total nationwide.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA

Domestic violence is abuse by one partner against another in an

intimate relationship such as dating, marriage, cohabitation or a familial
relationship. Domestic violence is also known as domestic abuse,
spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse and 
intimate partner violence (IPV). Domestic violence can be physical,
emotional, verbal, economic and sexual abuse. Domestic violence can
be subtle, coercive or violent.
38% of Indian men admit they have physically abused their partners.
The Indian government has taken measures to try to reduce domestic
violence through legislation such as the 
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005.
 Reported cruelty by a husband or
Year
relative
2008 81,344
2009 89,546
2010 94,041
2011 99,135
2012 106,527
2013 118,866
2014 122,877
2015 113,403
FORCED AND CHILD MARRIAGE

Girls are vulnerable to being forced into marriage at young ages,

suffering from a double vulnerability: both for being a child and for
being female. Child brides often do not understand the meaning and
responsibilities of marriage. Causes of such marriages include the
view that girls are a burden for their parents, and the fear of girls
losing their chastity before marriage.
ACID THROWING

Acid throwing, also called an acid attack, a vitriol attack or vitriolage, is a form of

violent assault used against women in India. Acid throwing is the act of throwing acid
or an alternative corrosive substance onto a person's body "with the intention to
disfigure, maim, torture, or kill."[ Acid attacks are usually directed at a victim's face
which burns the skin causing damage and often exposing or dissolving bone. Acid
attacks can lead to permanent scarring, blindness, as well as social, psychological
and economic difficulties.
The Indian legislature has regulated the sale of acid. Compared to women throughout
the world, women in India are at a higher risk of being victims of acid attacks. At least
72% of reported acid attacks in India have involved women. India has been
experiencing an increasing trend of acid attacks over the past decade.
ABDUCTION
Incidents of reported kidnappings and abductions of women increased 7.6%
from 2011 to 2012. Uttar Pradesh had 7,910 cases, accounting for 22.2% of
the total of cases nationwide.

Year Reported abductions

2008 22,939
2009 25,741
2010 29,795
2011 35,565
2012 38,262
2013 51,881
2014 57,311
2015 59,277
1.Kidnapping (Sec 359,360,366)
2.Eve Teasing (Sec 509)
3.Chain snatching (Sec 378)
4.Rape (Sec 376,376A,376B,376C,376D)
5.Sexual Harassment (Sec 354A)
6.Domestic Violence (Sec 498A)
7.Honor Killing
8.Cyber Crimes (Bullying, Abuse, Violence, Pornography)
9.Dowry deaths
10.Acid Attacks (Sec 326A,326B)
11.Stalking (Sec 354D)
12.Assault to outrage modesty (Sec 354,354B)
13.Women trafficking (Sec 370,370A,372,373)
THANK YOU…