Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual harassment, abuse and rape

There were 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women in 2022, which translates to approximately 51 cases every hour. Of this, the majority of crimes were categorised as cruelty by a spouse or his relatives (31.4%) followed by kidnapping and abduction (19.2%), assault with intent to outrage modesty (18.7%), and rape (7.1%). These statistics, as stated in the ‘Crime in India 2022’ report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), highlight the dire state of women’s safety in the country.

In light of recent events in India, including the Kolkata rape and murder, Badlapur sexual assault, Hema Committee report and many other cases, the discourse around the protection of women from sexual offences has once again gained momentum. People are not only demanding a thorough investigation into these matters but also strict punishment for the perpetrators. Amid this, the legal framework on sexual offences against women has also come under fire. There’s a demand for stricter laws to ensure women’s safety and social justice. 

What do the current laws on this subject state and why do people feel there’s a need for change?