Crime Against Women

1. INTRODUCTION- The principle of gender equality is well published in the Constitution of

India. In order uphold and implement the Constitutional Mandate, the State has enacted
various laws and taken measures intended to ensure equal rights, check social
discrimination & various forms of violence and atrocities. Although women may be victims
of any of the general crimes such as ‘murder’, ‘robbery’, ‘cheating’, etc. only the crimes
which are directed specifically against women i.e. gender specific crimes are characterised
as ‘Crimes against Women’
In the ancient Indian women held a high place of respect in the society as mentioned in
Rigveda and other scriptures. Volumes can be written about the status of our women and
their heroic deeds from the vedic period to the modern times. But later on, because of
social, political and economic changes, women lost their status and were relegated to the
background. Many evil customs and traditions stepped in which enslaved the women and
tied them to the boundaries of the house.
The official statistics showed a declining sex-ratio, health status, literacy rate, work
participation rate and political participation among women. While on the other hand the
spread of social evils like dowry deaths, child marriage, domestic violence, rape, sexual
harassment, exploitation of women workers are rampant in different parts of India.
Humiliation, rape, kidnapping, molestation, dowry death, torture, wife-beating etc. have
grown up over the years.
 Everyday March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day even then violence
against women has been increasing.
 Women are still considered secondary to males and they use violence to control
women.
 Several laws exist to protect women like
Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act,
1994, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights
on Divorce) Act, 1986, Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 etc.

2. MEANING- “The Semantic meaning of „crime against women‟ is direct or indirect physical
or mental cruelty to women. Crimes which are „directed specifically against women‟ and
in which „only women are victims‟ are characterized as „Crime Against Women‟

“The United Nations defined “Violence against Women” in 1993 in Declaration on the Elimination
of Violence against Women. It defines it as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is
likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats
of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private
life”

“CRIME against women is an umbrella term for violent acts that are primarily and exclusively
perpetrated against women. Often considered a hate crime”

Acid attack- (326-A)- (Imprisonment for not less than ten years but which may extend to
imprisonment for life and fine to be paid to the victim) - Cognizable, non- Bailable.

Attempt to Acid attack (326-B) -Imprisonment for not less than five years but which may extend to
seven years, and with fine - Cognizable, non- Bailable.
(354A)- Sexual harassment of the nature of unwelcome physical contact and advances or
demand or request for sexual favours, showing pornography. – (imprisonment which may extent
to 3 years or with fine or with both.)- Cognizable, Bailable

Sexual harassment of the nature of making sexually coloured remarks (imprisonment which may
extent to one year or with fine or with both.)- Cognizable, Bailable

Voyeurism (354C)- Imprisonment not less than one year, but which may extend to 3 years, and
with fine for conviction. - Cognizable, Bailable.

Stalking (354D)- Imprisonment up to 3 years with fine for 1st conviction. - (Cognizable, Bailable)

Rape (376)- Rigorous Imprisonment not less than 7, but which may extend to imprisonment for life
with fine.( Cognizable , Non Bailable)

Gang Rape-

Kidnapping and Abduction

Dowry Death

Torture-

Molestation-

Sexual Harassment-

Import of Girls-