Treatment unlikely to make up for their loss

A casual first glance at the slim, tall and pretty 20-year-old Rekha Chauhan (name changed) gives the impression of a normal bubbly college-going girl.

A closer look at her fine face shows scars for which she has been receiving treatment ever since she became a victim of an acid attack in 2009.

But it was her head and not the face and hands that bore the major brunt of the
attack.

While plastic surgeons at Lok Nayak Hospital in the capital have quite managed to give her back her original face with very few scars left, there is still be some time before they can make hair grow again on her head through complex treatments.

Apart from the plastic surgeons treating her, she gives credit to a security guard who showed great presence of mind immediately after acid was thrown at her.
He had promptly pulled out a pipe, fixed it to a tap and poured water on her for close to 20 minutes.

“That prompt action was the reason her face was not disfigured, unlike most other victims,” says consultant plastic surgeon at the hospital Dr Padam Singh Bhandari, who has fixed a balloon like structure under the skin of her head, part of a process to help hair grow again.

“Acid burns are usually much deeper than flame burns due to the contact period. Deeper the burns, worst is the prognosis. Immediately washing off the acid with lots of water reduces this contact period and hence the damage,” he says.

Considering the fewer scars on Rekha’s face, she was much luckier compared to other victims, according to Dr Bhandari.

“Though the extent of the damage depends on the concentration of the acid and area covered by the burns, all victims of acid attacks are scarred physically for life. Any amount of plastic surgery cannot give them back their normal skin. There can only be improvement, they are forced the carry the physical scars for life,” he says.

Impact on skin

On the kind of impact acid has on the skin, Dr P K Talwar, director of Cosmetic Laser Surgery Centre of India, explains, “The acid rapidly eats away skin, the layer of fat
beneath the skin, and in some cases even the underlying bone.”

In addition, the victims also face the possibility of loss of eyesight, life-threatening infection septicaemia and renal failure.

A victim goes through numerous plastic surgeries over many years, with most discouraged to continue after the first few surgeries due to the high expenditure incurred.

According to experts, the compensation of Rs 3 lakh given to the victims is a meager sum since the actual expenditure on treatment and plastic surgeries is manifold.

Laxmi Aggarwal, a victim, had gone through seven surgeries at a leading private hospital in the city for over three years before the high expenses forced her to discontinue the treatment.

While doctors have told her that the three remaining surgeries and a subsequent cosmetic surgery will remove much of her scars, she is still praying for financial help from any quarter.

EXPERTOPINION

With the Supreme Court verdict, acid attacks will be reduced. Stringent laws are required to curb such social evils. Education also plays a great role in preventing such crimes. There should be awareness among the general public about the law and people should abide by them. NGOs should keep a chck on chemists and other pharmacists who sell acid without a licence.

>> Girija Vyas, minister of housing and urban poverty alleviation

By just passing the order, the purpose won’t be served. The Supreme Court’s
interim order must be implemented in full spirit. The attacks have been on the rise because the acid is readily available. Those who do not abide by rules must be punished severely especially the shopkeepers who can now sell acid only after establishing the identity and the purpose of the buyer.

>> Ranjana Kumari, member,
national mission foR empowerment of women

After the Supreme Court order, it will now get difficult to buy acid, but it may not curb the crime fully. There should be stringent punishment for the culprit to stop this heinous crime. A demented person can find acid from anywhere like from battery at home.                                     

>> Archana Kumari, survivor and
 member, Stop Acid Attack

We take such attacks seriously and try our best to provide justice to the victims on an emotional level. It is one of the reasons behind such cases seeing a decrease over the years. We regularly give advertisements that women must report to police if they are being threatened or stalked by any person known to them or unknown. The crime branch has been receiving hundreds of calls by women which helps us to avert such attacks.

>> Deepak Mishra, Special commissioner of police (law and order)

COURTORDER

* Acid attack victims to get Rs 3 lakh compensation for medical treatment and rehabilitation. Of the total compensation amount, the states must pay them Rs 1 lakh within 15 days and the rest within the next two months
* The Supreme Court has directed states and union territories to frame law for regulating over-the-counter sale of acid and and other corrosive substances within three months
* Meanwhile, the over-the-counter sale of the chemical is prohibited unless the seller maintains a register recording the buyer’s address and other details
* No acid should be sold to minors
* All retailers must report their stock of acid to the area sub-divisional
magistrate every 15 days. Undeclared stocks could be confiscated and the
defaulter fined up to Rs 50,000