India’s Criminal Justice System Fails Rape Victims: Report
Compromises in rape cases — when a victim and accused settle the supposed dispute — fail to protect rape victims and prevent future acts of violence, according to Jurist. In India, that has led to a conviction rate of just under 28 per cent.
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Gender justice must take precedence in rape cases in India, argues Jurist. An editorial in the publication argues that compromises in rape cases — when a victim and accused settle the supposed dispute — fail to protect rape victims and prevent future acts of violence. That’s one reason why India’s conviction rate for rape is only 27.8 percent, according to the Crime in India 2019 Report. Compromises between a victim and accused are rarely freely consented to by the victim. When compromises do occur, they’re far from a true form of justice: intended to protect the “dignity” of women, they suggest rape is merely a “dishonorable experience” and aim to symbolically restore women’s purity. For victims who resist such compromises, societal stigma, violence or suicide often follow. Victim-friendly responses, not inadequate and unjust compromises, might serve as a true pathway to justice for victims of rape, Jurist says.
