India’s Reckoning with Crimes Against Women

Crimes against women in India remain a grim reality, their nature and frequency painting a stark picture of systemic failure. Official figures from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) catalogue a litany of horrors: rape and murder, gang rape, domestic violence, dowry deaths, feticide, abetment to suicide, acid attacks, honour killings, sexual harassment and an ever-expanding digital frontier of cybercrimes in form of marital frauds, financial scams, fake digital arrests and the insidious spread of online sexual harassment. The scale is vast and the urgency to act unmistakable.

In significant legislative overhauls, the Indian government has sought to confront these crises head-on. The introduction of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam in July last year marks a departure from archaic colonial-era criminal laws, promising a more victim-centric approach to justice. These laws embrace technological innovation with electronic evidence now admissible in court and e-FIRs encouraged while summonses can be issued digitally and trials can proceed even in the accused’s absence - a crucial provision given how many perpetrators flee abroad to evade justice.

The government’s push for immediacy extends beyond legislation. The 112 India emergency app, operational nationwide, ensures that police response times in urban areas have dropped to under ten minutes. The cyber helpline 1930, along with the www.cybercrime.gov.in portal, allows victims to lodge anonymous complaints, mitigating the fear of social stigma. For survivors of sexual violence, justice is meant to be swift: investigations into rape cases must now conclude within two months, fast-track courts have been established, in-camera trials are mandated, and the victim’s identity cannot be disclosed in the media. Legal aid and financial compensation have also been introduced to help survivors rebuild their lives.

The intentions are noble. Yet, the battle is far from won. Laws alone cannot bridge the chasm of mistrust between victims and the justice system. Many women still hesitate to report crimes, fearing retribution, social ostracization or worse, apathy from law enforcement. If these new legal frameworks are to succeed, they must be accompanied by systemic and cultural change.

A first step is ensuring that victims feel heard from the very moment they seek help. All complaints related to sexual harassment and rape must be recorded via video, in the complainant’s own words, eliminating the possibility of manipulation by law enforcement or legal loopholes exploited by the accused. Transparency in the process is paramount.

Second, courts need to function at an accelerated pace. Zero-pendency must be the goal, and achieving it requires dedicated judicial bodies operating in two shifts. Delays in trials only embolden perpetrators and wear down victims’ resolve. Maharashtra’s former Director General of Police implemented a 24-hour charge sheet filing system for sexual harassment cases - a practice that should be adopted nationwide. Early legal intervention can ensure both the victim’s safety and a fair trial, free from external pressure or influence.

Third, bail policies must be revisited. Time and again, individuals accused of sexual crimes reoffend while out on bail. In such cases, stringent preventive measures should be imposed, including surety bonds from the victim’s relatives and women-led surety groups to ensure accountability.

Additionally, legal representation must be bolstered. Prosecutors should include a panel of lawyers with expertise in cybercrime, acknowledging the increasingly digital nature of gender-based violence. Victims navigating these cases require not only legal but also psychological support. Recognized counsellors must be available at every administrative subdivision to guide survivors through the arduous process of seeking justice.

Yet, justice cannot be purely reactionary. Prevention demands an overhaul of societal attitudes. Schools and colleges must implement continuous education programs on gender sensitization, sexual harassment laws, and digital safety. Self-defence training should be mandatory in educational institutions, ensuring that young women are equipped to protect themselves in an increasingly hostile world. Awareness campaigns for the 112 emergency app need to be relentless—broadcast daily on radio, television, and social media until its use becomes second nature. Today, even in metropolitan cities like Chennai, few are aware of this life-saving resource.

Another crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of women’s safety is environmental design. Universities, workplaces, and public spaces must enforce strict access controls to prevent predators from targeting unsuspecting women. Surveillance systems, well-lit pathways, and rapid-response security personnel should be the norm, not the exception.

There is reason for cautious optimism. India has taken a significant step toward creating a legal system that prioritizes victims over bureaucracy, action over inertia. But the real test lies in implementation. Will police officers execute these laws with diligence and sensitivity? Will the judiciary commit to speed without sacrificing fairness? Will society at large abandon its culture of victim-blaming and rally behind survivors instead of shaming them into silence?

If these new laws are to mark a true turning point, they must be accompanied by a societal shift that moves beyond reactive measures. Anything less would be yet another betrayal of the countless women whose voices have long gone unheard.

(The writer is DGP (retd.) Maharashtra and recipient of the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service. Views are personal)