ACID ATTACK

An acid attack, also called acid throwing, vitriol

attack, or vitriolage, is a form of violence, in which
acid or another corrosive substance is thrown at a
person — usually a woman or a girl — with the
intention of maiming, torturing or killing
them.Perpetrators of these attacks throw
corrosive liquids  at their victims, usually at their
faces, burning them, and damaging skin tissue
often exposing and sometimes dissolving the
bones. Acid attacks can often lead to permanent
blindness.
Substance used
Sulphuric acid
Nitric acid Muskan khatun (2019) 
Hydrochloric acid
Sometimes aqueous solutions of the caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) are also used.

MODUS OPERANDI (i) When an acid  is thrown at the victim, it spills on the
face and other parts of the body, and is also ingested
sometimes.
 (ii) Acid can also be thrown directly from a
bottle/container/ syringe/jug. 
(iii) Acid attacks are not only limited to women, but men
are also attacked. 
(iv) Acid is mostly used to deface the girl when there is
denial of sex, refusal of proposal, dowry ,toxic masculinity
,land/property disputes etc. 
(v) Mostly two-wheelers (motorcycle/scooter) are used in
commitment of acid attacks to escape quickly from the
crime scene.
CRIME DATA :
IN NEPAL
According to data reported by the Nepal Police : 

GLOBAL

According to London-based Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) - 1,500 attacks are
globally recorded each year while nearly 60 percent of global cases are not reported
ASTI Executive Director Jaf Shah estimates -1,000 attacks annually in India, despite
reports indicating only 300 per year
London Police reports obtained by CNN indicate a 600 percent increase in attacks; -77
attacks in 2012 to 465 in 2017
Most acid attacks have been found in Bangladesh, India and Cambodia were perpetrators
had a personal relationship with the victims
Kalantry and most researchers identify gender-based discrimination as a primary reason for
such attacks
Impacts of acid attack
1. Physiological Impact
iv)  Eyes:
Direct acid contact or acid vapours can
damage eyes, causing blindness. Even if
the eyes survive the attack, they remain
vulnerable to other threats that can cause
blindness.
Eyelids may have been burned off or may
be deformed, leaving the eyes to dry up and
go blind. 
iv) Nose:
Shrunken and deformed. Nostrils may
Sima Basnet (2015) close completely because the cartilage is
a.Short term :Short-term refers to the time destroyed. 
when someone is attacked with acid to the v) Mouth:
time they are out of the hospital for acute Shrunken and narrowed, and may lose its
treatment of their acid burns.  This differs shape. Lips may be partly or totally
depending on the person and hospital but destroyed. Lips may be permanently flared,
typically ranges from one to six months after exposing the teeth. Movement of the lips,
the attack. mouth and face may be impaired. Eating
i) SKIN: can be difficult. 
Within a few days of an attack,due to the vi) Chin:
coagulation necrosis a survivor's skin will often Scarred and deformed. The scars may run
form white patches  which eventually become downward, welding the chin to the neck or
darker in color. Once the black and damaged chest.
skin has fallen off, the underlying skin will look vii) Neck:
raw, fleshy, red, and inflamed. People may Often badly damaged, sometimes leaving
continue to experience a burning sensation. the person unable to extend the neck or
ii) Skull: straighten the head. 
May be partly destroyed or deformed. Hair is viii) Chest:
often lost. Often badly scarred. Inhalation of acid
iii) Ears: vapours can create breathing problems. In
Cartilage in the ear is usually partly or totally girls and young women, the breasts may
destroyed, exposing the victim to future stop developing or be destroyed.
infection and hearing loss
 viii) Shoulders:
May be badly scarred, which can limit the
person’s arm movement.
ix) Ability to regulate temperature :
Acid attack survivors who have suffered
from third-degree full thickness burns may
lose their ability to maintain body
temperature.  Acid can cause the skin to
melt, shrink, and shrivel up. In some cases,
the pores of the skin close up,  the body can't
cool itself through sweating and starts
having problems maintaining a consistent
temperature.
b. Long term :Long-term refers to the impact
of an acid attack after the initial hospitalization.
Most acid attack survivors undergo
reconstructive surgeries or other procedures
for many years after their attack.                   are also affected. Contracture scars are
 
Jenny Khadka (2019 )
Sangita Magar (2015 )
i) Contracture Scars                                     
Contracture scars tighten the skin and
affect the individual’s mobility. Areas below
the skin, ranging from muscles to nerves,
more common with deeper burns.
Contracture  scars are normal responses to
burns and they must heal completely before
being surgically altered.
ii)  Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are growths that result from
the formation of excessive scar tissue. 
They are typically raised and have a puffy
appearance.  Keloid scars do not affect
one’s health. However, its appearance may
make individuals feel self-conscious
iii) Nerve defects
Upon contact with the acid, nerves can be
permanently damaged. As a result, specific
body parts may face restricted movement.
If the nerves of the mouth are affected,
eating and speaking may be difficult.
2. Psycho-social Impacts
Victims are usually outcast , isolated from
public places and are forced to live with the
psychological scar of shame for the rest of
their life .
Victims are generally from low
socioeconomic status and medical
procedures are costly, this leads to
tremendous psychological trauma also the
main aim of perpetrator to permanently
disfigure , damage and scar the victim
succeeds.
Even when people complain to police,
mediation is often used to settle the case
rather than investigation and prosecution.
The deformities by acid to mother scare her
own children .
Lack of self-worth and societal support also
is even difficult to find employment after
their attacks
Victims suffer from :     Imprisonment for 5-8 years
- depression
  -anxiety
  - insomnia
-alcohol addiction and substance use
disorders       Imprisonment for 3-5 years.
  -post traumatic stress that imparts their
daily activities
    - cognitive impairments trauma specific
attentional and memory bias
      -end of blaming themselves
FIRST AID
Find the name of the chemical used
if possible.
Carefully remove contaminated
jewelry or clothing.
Immediately rinse the affected area
with cool, freshwater for at least 20
minutes to wash out the chemical.
Do not apply any cream or ointment.
If possible apply sterile gauze or
cling film to protect the burn.text
LAW IN NEPAL
According to The Muluki Criminal (Code)
Act, 2074, under section 193
Disfigurement of face.:         
-Fine of Rs. 100,000 - Rs. 500,000     
Disfigurement of any other organ or
bodily pain:
Fine of Rs. 50,000- Rs. 300,000