Unheard voices, silent struggles: The global fight against sexual violence

A court in France on December 19, 2024, sentenced Dominique Pelicot to 20 years of imprisonment for drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, and allowing other men to rape her while she was unconscious. This abuse lasted nearly a decade.

The world stands in awe of Gisèle Pelicot’s courage to take a bold stance and fight on behalf of rape survivors globally. Yet, her story leaves me wondering about all the voices that were left unheard in India, those that had to sacrifice their lives in order to be heard.

In India, a land where women are worshipped as goddesses and seen as embodiments of purity, it becomes particularly difficult for a rape survivor to share her story and discuss such an incident in the own premises of her home, let alone in a public forum. 

Recent incidents in Kolkata serve as grim reminders of the ever-present menace of sexual violence against women. In both instances, the victims were vulnerable, in spaces where safety should have been guaranteed, they fell prey to brutal crimes.

In Kolkata, a 31-year-old trainee doctor, exhausted after working a gruelling 36-hour shift, sought rest in the seminar hall of the medical college where she worked.

There, she was raped and murdered. Her body was discovered bleeding from her eyes and mouth on August 9, 2024, sending shockwaves through the nation, evoking horrifying memories of the 2012 Nirbhaya case in Delhi.

It reignited nationwide protests. Such heinous crimes compel us to ask: what drives individuals to commit such atrocities? What goes on in their mind?

Despite stringent laws and severe penalties, crimes against women continue at an alarming rate, and the numbers are staggering.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), rape cases in the country increased by 4 per cent in 2022, with 31,677 cases reported in 2021—an average of 86 rapes every day.

The stories of these crimes, however, remain incomplete, as many victims choose not to report their assaults due to fear of judgement, retribution from the rapist, or concern about how their families will react.

This pervasive stigma surrounding rape often silences victims, preventing society from fully grasping the gravity of the problem. This veil of silence only empowers perpetrators, perpetuating the vicious cycle of violence.

The psychology behind rape is complex and multifaceted. Research shows that psychological variables such as male cooperation, heightened security, and anonymity often buffer offenders from the perceived consequences of their actions.

This dynamic is evident in gang rape situations, where offenders may act in unison, emboldened by the presence of others and the belief that they will not be held accountable. For many men, power is intrinsically tied to masculinity—a concept that is ingrained from a young age in many cultures, including in India.

To quote Sherry Hamby, a research professor of psychology at the University of the South in the US state of Tennessee: “Sexual assault is not about sexual gratification or sexual interest, but more about dominating people.”

According to Justice Verma, Indian male children are raised on the notion of masculine superiority, which fosters an environment where women are often seen as inferior and subjugated. As men grow older, this perception intensifies as they feel societal pressure to prove their masculinity, leading to the dehumanisation of women.

This fear of failure and insecurity about their masculinity can manifest in hatred toward women, culminating in violent actions like rape.

Despite the rise of such violence, there is a disturbing lack of accountability. A woman’s worth is often determined by her chastity, and any deviation from the accepted norms leads to societal condemnation.

The narrow definition of rape in Indian culture—as only involving penile penetration—further limits our understanding of sexual assault, ignoring other forms of sexual violence, such as molestation and harassment. Rape is not an isolated incident; it is part of a continuum of behaviours that normalise the objectification and disrespect of women.

This progression of small acts, like brushing against a woman’s shoulder or inappropriate touching in public spaces, ultimately builds a culture of impunity.

Women frequently have heightened awareness, regardless of whether they are among strangers or family members. This condition of constant alertness is the direct outcome of societal pressures and government orders to take responsibility for their own protection in the face of impending violence.

However, this produces an unequal and unfair burden of responsibility, as the focus should be on preventing the crime rather than on the possible victim. The heavy psychological burden of vigilance weighs on women every day, whether they are walking down the street or simply spending time in the safety of their homes.

Gisèle Pelicot’s recent win is not an end to these horrendous crimes but rather a beginning to the opening of doors to discourses of similar difficult ordeals that would ultimately prove to establish a society safe for women. 

(The writer is a master’s student of clinical psychology at Christ deemed to be university, Bengaluru)