Acid Attacks On Women: Life Before and After

Acid attack is not something unheard of in India. It has shocked the conscience of our nation again and again - with mutilated faces, unbeaten survivors coming to the frontlines to share their horrific stories, and families driven to bankruptcy supporting recovery costs. But have we done enough? Do enough of us care? Why should we care? Why should we care anymore than we do for general fight for women’s rights and safety in India about acid attacks?

The rising number of acid attack cases, from 83 in 2011 to 349 in 2015, shows India’s inability to grapple with this heinous crime. Cases continue unabated in various parts of the country, showing the pan-Indian character of this form of assault. Over the last few months, cases of acid violence have been reported from Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar, Assam and Delhi, underlining the fact that little has been done to regulate the availability of acid, despite the Supreme Court directive three years ago.

What factors allow such attacks? Un-counselled anger and frustration is behind the crimes as much as pre-disposition to sociopathic traits, and violence and societal chauvinism plays a significant role (85% of the victims are women). But the real culprit to blame is the ease to get away with it. Anger over rejection causes the desire to lash out and inherent disregard for women in specific and human suffering in general seeds the thought, but the lax laws - both to limit availability and to counter the crime - is what lets the perpetrators convert their thoughts in to action.

The venomous intent behind these attacks is clear from the fact that most attacks are directed primarily at the face and result in scarring, deformity and injuries such as blindness. Many of these debilities leaves the victims severely disabled and disfigured, isolating them and driving them underground in the face of ridicule, making it nearly impossible for them to function in society. A result of this debilitation is decrease in income for the victims and their families as they are forced to give up work. Even if they recover to the extent that they are fit for employment few employers are willing to hire people with such physical deformities. Most women also find themselves abandoned by their husbands. This leaves them solely responsible for their children, which can have a huge effect on their lives and their standard of living. Acid attack is possibly the worst infliction on another human - leading to complete debilitation, loss of income and opportunity, and even social sequestration- and it can happen to anyone, at any time.

Why does our conscience as a nation need to be shocked again and again with multiple faces over so many years leaving us vulnerable in the meantime to such a cruel and destructive crime? The life the survivors have to lead have made us shudder at thought - we need to continue shuddering until every woman (and man) in India is safe against acid violence.