Rape Cases Hushed Up In India, U.S. Lawmakers Told

WASHINGTON – With Indiarocked by another sexual assaultcase, U.S. lawmakers have beentold that rape cases are not onlybeing hushed up in the countrydue to fear and stigma but arealso very poorly investigated,many ending up in acquittals.”In India, rape cases have beenhushed up and not reported dueto fear and stigma. The caseswhich are reported are verypoorly investigated and manyend up in acquittals,” Ravi Kant,president of board of directorsof non-governmental ShaktiVahini, told lawmakers during aCongressional hearing.”Brutal rape and subsequentdeath of a 23-year-old in acrowded area of Delhi, physicaland mental torture of a minorhousemaid by a highly qualifiedMNC employee, mysteriousdeath of a tribal girl employedas a domestic help are allinstances that have shocked andshook the public conscience inIndia and have led to massiveoutpouring of anger,” Kantsaid.India, being a predominantlypatriarchal society, has seenmanifestations of violenceagainst women in various forms,Kant told the hearing.”While some occurred in broaddaylight, some happened withinthe four walls of our houses,nicely hidden in the pretence ofmorals and tradition. While inIndia, a country with a large sectionof people and almost allreligions pray to goddesses, wehave also high rates of violenceagainst women in variousforms,” he said.Chairing the Congressionalhearing, Congressman JamesMcGovern said some reportsindicate that cases of rape haveeven increased since theDecember 16 gangrape in amoving bus in Delhi last year.”Earlier, there was non-registrationof cases. Now, a lot ofthem are coming out and speakingand registering the cases. Sothis is a big step for us. In fact,with the increased sensitivities inthe police and the administration,it is going to increasebecause people who are notreporting are going to report,”Kant said.He said the government ofIndia has taken steps tostrengthen the law enforcementresponses on crime againstwomen and children by bringingin legislation for their protection.”After the massive protestwhich happened after the unfortunateDelhi gangrape inDecember, police across thecountry have notified variousprocedures to be followed bythe law enforcement in investigation,evidence collection,medical examination, and traumasupport to victims,” he said.”The Criminal Amendment Act2013 has strengthened the lawon rape and has also brought innew provisions related to stalking,voyeurism, and acidattacks,” he said, adding that theIndian government has ratifiedthe UN protocol on trafficking.The government of India hasalso created faster courts for trialsrelated to sexual offences,Kant said.Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal’salleged sexual harassment of acolleague a few days back inGoa has snowballed into amajor controversy.