When prurience proliferates and go unpunished it makes a society spineless one. This is of late, happening unabated in the country. Any explicit anger and outcry by the heavyweights in the society against rapists, stalkers and violence against women are not heard that much in loud voice today.
Social ostracism has become, as though, a thing of the bygone days as the criminals have become high and mighty in the society. New data, detailing a sharp surge in violence against minors and chronic exposure to child marriage, point to the fact that the country’s strides toward human development gains are being eroded by the culture of impunity.
It is startling to know that in the first eight months of this year 3,589 rape cases were filed nationwide with a staggering 1,172 involving minors, according to police records. The official figure, however, is often taken as the floor rather than the ceiling of the actual crisis. Incidents of rape and violence against women and minors seem to have become endemic in the country. These vicious incidents are happening when women empowerment is high on the government agenda.
These incidents eloquently speak of the deteriorating law and order and mindboggling moral degeneration of a sick society we have at present. That the girls, women and children are unsafe everywhere is evident from the alarming surge in the deadly incidents of stalking, rape and violence against women. The question that agitates the mind of the people is what this country is coming to when the family members of the victims are afraid of the torture by the perpetrators strengthened by various forces. We cannot ignore the repeated examples of such incidents occurring where the mighty and devilish elements of society get away with such barbarous behavior especially where the law is slow to react.
According to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) data, incidents of rape of girl children rose by 83 percent in the first nine months of this year- from last year’s195 to 357 cases. Attempted rapes increased by 163 percent and sexual harassment by 76 percent. It is alarming that so many perpetrators are adolescents.
Nearly one-third of rapists are aged 11-30, a quarter of gang rapists are 16-25, and most accused in stalking and cybercrime cases are16-30. Danger exists in both private and public places—at home, at neighbours’ houses, and even on the way to school.
Impunity encourages the brutality of stalkers and rapists and therein lies the challenges which the government must face squarely. Besides, many rape incidents are not reported to police and cases are not filed for fear of reprisals and social stigma. With the annual observance of International Day of the Girl Child on October 11 people begin to ask what for democracy is when the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators cannot be eliminated forever and where the poor victims suffer more ignominies at the hands of the powerful?
However, we demand toughest action to wipe out violence against women before it is too late. The authorities must ensure rapid, transparent, and strong investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases, dismantling the culture of impunity that shields the perpetrators of such crimes.
