Is rape crime or curse: issues, challenges and management

Abstract

Rape is considered as a heinous crime. In India, it is the fourth most common crime against girls and women. Females suffer a lot in the form of a double-edged sword as at one end many rapes are still not reported in India. Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) made punishable the act of sex by a man with a woman if it is done against her will or without her consent. The act of sex is also considered as a rape when it is done with her consent by putting her or any person in whom she is interested in fear of death or of hurt. It is also considered in the category of rape when it is done (with or without her consent) with minor girls. Rape is increasingly gaining visibility as a major public health concern. Across India, fear of rape is a constant companion as women may have to confront it at each and every corner, road and public place at any hour. By keeping this view into consideration, the present paper focuses over issues, challenges and the management of rape victims. It is purely based on secondary data. It was found that there are many issues like women clothes, women status in society, lack of public safety, psychological ill etc. are blamed for the rape in India. Besides, most of the rape victims reported that they face stigma, disgrace and suffer serious guilt-pangs if they register for protest.