A series of rapes in India reignites debate over women's safety — The Japan Times
In Delhi, India’s capital, a series of high-profile sexual violence cases has once again intensified the debate over women’s safety and the effectiveness of tougher laws. As The Japan Times reports, hundreds of students marched through the capital’s streets on Wednesday, demanding stronger security measures.
The protests took place after, according to law enforcement officials, three men posing as police officers allegedly gang-raped a 17-year-old girl in a public park in central Delhi. The incident recalled the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a bus in 2012, which sparked nationwide protests and legislative changes.
Statistics and other cases
According to the latest available official data, an average of 80 rape cases a day were registered in India in 2024. In 2012, the figure was about 68 cases a day. Human rights advocates believe the actual number of sexual crimes may be significantly higher, as many victims do not report them to police out of fear of stigmatization in a patriarchal society.
The latest incident occurred after the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl, whose decomposed body was found by police, and after the alleged rape of another 17-year-old girl by a bus driver and conductor. According to the source, the men offered her a ride during a heavy downpour. Both cases occurred in Delhi in recent weeks. In the state of Bihar, a video also emerged this month that reportedly shows sexual violence against a minor.
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Problems with enforcement of laws
After the 2012 case, Indian authorities expanded the definition of sexual crimes, clarified provisions on penetration and consent, and increased penalties. Gang rape was made punishable by at least 20 years in prison, while the death penalty was introduced for repeat offenders.
However, lawyers and activists stress that the key problem lies in enforcing the laws. The conviction rate in rape cases since 2012 has remained at about a quarter of cases that reach court. In 2024, fewer than 10% of more than 200,000 rape cases pending before courts were concluded.
Lawyer Shilpi Jain, who represented victims of sexual violence, linked the situation to overburdened courts and police. Women’s rights advocates Yogita Bhayana and Poonam Muttreja said legislative changes are insufficient without changing public attitudes and preventing sexual violence in families, schools, communities, the digital space, and the police system.
