CRIME AGAINST WOMEN
CRIME AGAINST WOMEN
Understanding the Reality: Most Empowerment and Legal Protection
In a country where women are revered as goddesses, it is alarming that crimes against women are on the rise. From domestic violence and acid attacks, to workplace harassment and sexual exploitation - an extensive catalogue of crime against women exists, and is embedded in our values, customs, and inaction. At Vrin Legal, we can begin to change this by collectively acknowledging, and responding to crime against women - to help empower them and create a safe community where women can flourish, commit to greatness and hold their heads high in their communities and in society overall.
The Importance of Recognizing Crimes Against Women:
Increasing Incidents and Accountability
Based on data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the reported incidents of crime against women, including assault, rape, dowry deaths, trafficking, and cybercrime have steadily increased. However, reporting is only half the battle. Many victims struggle to come forward due to fear, shame, and societal pressure. By remaining silent victims not only suppress their own justice but provide a sense of power to the perpetrators. Therefore, it is crucial to commit to a greater awareness of women's empowerment and ensure all women are informed about their rights and options under the law.
Legal Framework for Crime Against Women in India
India has created various laws specifically for women's protection and punishment of perpetrators:
Indian Penal Code (IPC) – Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 376 (rape), 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives), etc.
-The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
-The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
-The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
-The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
These laws represent the government’s intention to combat crime against women, however without legal advocacy and support, these good intentions do not typically translate to action and enforcement.
Our Role in Combating Crime: About Women Empowerment at Vrin Legal:
We offer holistic legal assistance to women who have experienced any form of crime against women, allowing them to speak up and receive justice. Our legal professionals approach cases with sensitivity, confidentiality, and accuracy, and assist women through the legal process from the grievance filing stage of the complaint to courtroom representation.
Creating Legal Awareness About Women Empowerment
Women are particularly vulnerable when they do not know their rights. At Vrin Legal, we provide legal education, telling women about their constitutional rights/duties, legal protections, and rights available to them if they are subjected to abuse or exploitation. About women empowerment, we provide the legal awareness workshops to help women to feel emboldened, empowered, and legally educated regardless of their employment situation.
Domestic violence is one of the most commonly occurring and underreported crimes against women. This form of violence has four components - physical, emotional, economic, and sexual abuse against a woman from a family member. Because it is normalized in homes, it can be difficult for women to see their experiences as something they can seek protection from. We focus on helping women in understanding their rights under the Domestic Violence Act and obtaining protection orders, custody orders, and orders of financial compensation.
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct in the Workplace
Sexual harassment in offices, factories, and public settings interrupts a woman's self-assurance and growth in their careers. The law that has been introduced, nationally, through the introduction of the 2013 POSH Act creates a responsibility for all workplaces to create an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). We advise both employers and employees, and promote women's empowerment through compliance with the law, reporting, complaints, and legal matters.
Cybercrime Against Women
The proliferation of digital use has created new forms of crime against women online - including revenge porn, cyberstalking, fake identity profiles, and blackmail. A significant number of women do not report cybercrime because they fear being outed to the public. At Vrin Legal, we provide digital forensic support, prepare complaints of cybercrime, and represent clients in cyber cell to take time-sensitive action.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation
Many women are trafficked for the purposes of forced labour, sexual exploitation and for organs. It is a fundamental infringement of human rights and a serious crime against women. Our legal team can work with relevant NGOs and enforcement authorities to rescue, prosecute, and rehabilitate survivors through legal remedies and support.
Barriers to Fighting Crime against Women
Barriers to Fighting Crime against Women Delay in Justice: The backlog of cases in the courts takes too much time to deliver justice. While delayed justice can sometimes impact a case's merits, when victims wait ate several months or years to receive justice, their resolve is weakened.
Patriarchy: A general sense of stigma exists among victims in society that discourages women from coming forward as a victim.
Police Apathy: Women sometimes do not want to proceed with filing FIR due to the insensitivity or lack of training of police personnel.
Ignorance: Women in rural or economically disadvantaged sections of society do not know their rights.
Fighting crime against women requires more than laws, it requires systemic change, empathy, education and most of all, citizen engagement. This is all part of our motivation in why women empowerment movement drives us.
Know Your Legal Rights as a Woman At Vrin Legal, we think understanding your rights is the first step to empowerment: • Right to Privacy when making a Complaint • Right to Free Legal Aid • Right to Zero FIR • Right to Protection from Arrest at Night (in specific instances) • Right to Equal Pay and Safe Workplaces These rights are designed to help protect women and promote equality especially when going through the legal system following a traumatic experience related to any crime involving women.
Vrin Legal’s Vision: Empowerment Through Justice
Advocating for Justice is Advocating About Women Empowerment
We don’t just fight legal battles—we support survivors emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Every successful case we fight is a statement about women empowerment and the need to end silence and stigma. We aim to make justice more accessible to women from all walks of life, whether they are homemakers, professionals, students, or laborers.
Partnering with Change-Makers
We collaborate with human rights organizations, women’s helplines, social workers, and law enforcement to form a safety net for women. As a trusted legal ally, we believe in partnerships that align with our mission about women empowerment and reducing crime against women.
Contact Vrin Legal for Justice and Support
If you or someone you know is facing any form of crime against women, don't hesitate to reach out. Every case matters, every voice counts, and every woman deserves justice. Let’s build a safer, more equitable future together.