The escalating violence against women in India, particularly within spaces once considered secure, demands immediate and resolute action. 

• This disturbing trend indicates a profound failure in societal protection mechanisms and the enforcement of existing laws.

Escalating Violence in Supposedly Safe Spaces

Over the past few months, a rise in violence against women has been observed across various states, from Odisha and Karnataka to Bengal and Delhi.

• On July 14, 2025, a 20-year-old B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, Odisha, tragically died after self-immolation. 
• This extreme step was taken outside the principal’s office after her repeated complaints of sexual harassment against a senior teacher went unheard.
• In Bengal, a law college student was gang-raped on campus in June, less than a year after a post-graduate student’s brutal killing at R.G. Kar Medical Hospital in 2024.
• In Mangaluru, two lecturers have been arrested for the alleged rape of a student.
• In Delhi, a nine-year-old girl’s rape and murder have led to severe public outrage and questions about the breakdown of law and order.

Failure of the Legal and Institutional Framework

• Despite the implementation of stringent laws following the 2012 Nirbhaya incident, little has changed on the ground. 
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, mandates the establishment of Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) in institutions to address grievances of sexual harassment. 
• However, the tragic incident in Odisha revealed that the college where the student studied did not have this mandatory facility. 
• Only after her death did the Odisha government issue an order for all colleges to form such committees within 24 hours. 
• This clearly demonstrates a reactive, rather than a preventive, approach and a significant lack of accountability from institutions.

Statistical Evidence of Rising Crime

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023 is yet to be released, but figures for 2022 show a total of 4,45,256 cases of ‘crimes against women’ were registered, marking a 4% increase over 2021.
• The breakdown of registered crimes against women in 2022 reveals:
  • Cruelty by husband or his relatives: 31.4% of all cases.
  • Assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty: 18.7% of all cases.
  • Rape: 7.1% of all cases.
• It is crucial to acknowledge that many crimes against women go unreported, meaning the actual figures are likely much higher.

Societal and Systemic Lapses

The persistent rise in these crimes points to deeper societal issues:

• There is a pervasive culture of suppressing conversations about sexual violence and gender-based violence. 
  • Victims are often discouraged from speaking out, which allows minor incidents to escalate into major crimes.
• A critical failure lies with the “protectors” – whether society, family, or institutions – who either turn into “predators” themselves or fail to act decisively. 
  • When mandatory mechanisms like ICCs are inactive or non-existent, and grievances are ignored, the system itself becomes complicit in the violence.
• The absence of a proactive, preventive approach means action is often taken only after a tragedy occurs, rather than preventing it in the first place.

Way Forward

• Rigorous Enforcement of Laws: Laws like the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, must be strictly enforced, and non-compliance by institutions must lead to severe penalties.
• Mandatory and Active Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs): Every institution, educational or professional, must establish and maintain fully functional ICCs, ensuring they are accessible, responsive, and accountable.
• Proactive Grievance Redressal: A robust and time-bound grievance redressal mechanism is critical to ensure that complaints are addressed swiftly and effectively, preventing tragedies.
• Public Awareness and Education: Comprehensive campaigns are needed to foster empathy, respect for women, and open conversations about sexual and gender-based violence from an early age.
• Accountability of Institutions and Individuals: Those in positions of authority who fail to protect women, or worse, become perpetrators, must face immediate and stringent action.
• Support for Victims: We must create an environment where victims feel empowered to report crimes, confident that they will receive justice and support, rather than face further victimisation or suppression.

Conclusion

The recent incidents serve as a stark reminder that complacency is a luxury we cannot afford. It is our collective duty to transform India into a nation where every woman can live without fear, where safe havens truly exist, and where justice is swift and unwavering.

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