The Unspoken Crisis: Why Rape Cases Are Rising in India
Trigger Warning: This newsletter discusses sexual violence.
On the evening of December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old woman boarded a private bus in Delhi with her friend. What followed was one of the most brutal cases of sexual violence India had ever seen—the Nirbhaya case.
The country erupted in protests.
Laws were changed.
Fast-track courts were promised.
Yet, more than a decade later, why are rape cases still rising?
Let’s break it down.
1. The Numbers Speak: A Growing Crisis
Rape cases in India have doubled in the last two decades.
?? NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) Data (2022):
?? 31,677 reported rape cases—that’s 87 cases every day.
?? 98% of the rapists were known to the victim (family, friends, neighbors).
?? Only 28% conviction rate, meaning most rapists walk free.
And these are just the reported cases. Experts estimate that for every reported case, five go unreported due to fear, stigma, and threats.
2. Why Are Rape Cases Rising?
Many blame Bollywood, Western culture, or women’s clothing. But the truth is far deeper and systemic.
?? 1. Weak Law Enforcement
Even after Nirbhaya, rape cases drag on for years in courts.
?? The 2012 case took seven years for justice.
?? In 2021, a Dalit girl in Hathras was raped and murdered—police burned her body overnight without her family’s consent.
If the system protects criminals instead of victims, what message does that send?
?? 2. Normalization of Rape Culture
?? Movies & Music: Songs glorifying stalking, toxic masculinity.
?? Casual Jokes: "Ladki haan bole na bole, haan hi hota hai." (If a girl says no, it means yes.)
?? Blaming Victims: “Why was she out at night?” instead of asking, “Why did he rape her?”
?? 3. Social Mindset & Patriarchy
In many families, girls are still taught:
?? "Stay quiet, don’t ruin the family name."
?? "Marriage is the only security."
?? "If a man misbehaves, ignore it."
When boys grow up believing they can get away with anything, many do.
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?? 4. Unsafe Public Spaces
?? Streetlights don’t work in many cities.
?? CCTV cameras are missing in public transport.
?? Police don’t respond fast enough to distress calls.
In Delhi alone, over 6,000 PCR calls on sexual harassment were ignored in 2022.
3. The Real Stories: Beyond the Headlines
Case 1: Hyderabad Vet Rape & Murder (2019)
A 27-year-old vet’s scooter broke down at night.
4 men offered help, raped and murdered her, then burned her body under a bridge.
Case 2: Unnao Rape Survivor (2017-2019)
A BJP MLA raped a 17-year-old girl in Unnao.
?? When she filed a complaint, her father was beaten to death.
?? When she kept fighting for justice, a truck mysteriously hit her car, killing her two aunts.
Powerful men silence victims.
4. What Needs to Change?
?? FASTER JUSTICE: Cases should be resolved within months, not years.
?? STRONGER PUNISHMENT: Rapists should fear the law, not mock it.
?? EDUCATION FOR BOYS: Teach consent, respect, and consequences from childhood.
?? SAFER PUBLIC SPACES: More police patrolling, streetlights, and fast response systems.
?? END VICTIM BLAMING: Support survivors, not shame them.
5. What Can You Do?
?? Speak up: Call out sexist jokes & behavior.
?? Educate others: Teach young boys about consent.
?? Support survivors: Believe them, stand by them.
?? Demand action: Pressurize leaders for better laws & enforcement.
This is not just a women's issue. This is a national issue.
If we stay silent today, who will be the next victim?
?? What do you think is the biggest reason behind rising rape cases in India?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. ??
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