WHY SEX CRIMES ARE MORE IN INDIA

Many individuals and groups might have studied the subject indepth and submitted their findings to the appropriate authorities from time to time. Unfortunately our follow up action and corrective measures are below par. When female constitute half of the population of the country it becomes the predominant responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of the citizens. Whether it is central or state governments, their efficacy is not appreciable, in this matter.

When we look for the prime reasons for this state of affairs, two things can be found on top. One is the wide spread corruption in our country. Criminals here have a feeling that if they have money in their hands, they can commit any crime and get scot free. The other reason is our haphazard educational system. We are still following a job oriented educational system. We do not focus on correcting the serious social issues through education. Safety of women should be included in our school syllabus from class 4 to class 12 at suitable densities on top most priority. It is easier to mould the children than to reform the elders.

The Reuters Trust Law group named India one of the worst countries in the world for women, in the year 2012. A report by UNICEF in 2012 shows their findings that 57% of Indian boys and 53% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 think that wife-beating is justified. This is nothing but the result of our deformed educational system. Further to this the findings of a national family health survey is that a sizable percentage of women blame themselves for beating by their husbands. There are many instances where the rape victims were asked to compromise. Even public opinion goes against the victim in the name of provocative dress and other nonsense reasons. Though we have ship loads of law in our country it becomes difficult for the victim to substantiate a rape case in a court of law. Above all, in spite of all said and done, women have lower status in our society.

Delay in justice too have its own contribution in crime promotion. According to a report given to the parliament by the minister in 2020, there were only 21.03 judges per million people in India. It can be found as a very low number while comparing with many other countries. There are 144 judges per million in China. It takes, therefore, years to have a verdict in crime against women. More women police, more women judges and more representation of women in parliament and state assemblies should be made available for women of India. Of course, women themselves to come forward as there is nothing much to anticipate from the male oriented society.

K V George