Rape cases on the rise

Rape cases on the rise
Rape is the crime of forcing someone to have sex with you especially using violence or threat.
When we hear this word, what immediately come to mind is a sense of windstorm of fear, panic, hatred and anger that swirls from head to toe. Any mentally stable human being is shocked or alarmed at the news of rape. It’s an act against human civilization which spreads hatred among the human beings. From a human rights perspective, rape is the number one violation of human rights principles and the worst thing that could happen to a human being committed by an absurd beast camouflaged in a human form.

Life in Nepal has changed drastically in recent years. Today, women show off themselves to be much freer, advanced, educated and civilized than before. In the vibrant, affluent streets of the developed cities, it is easy to forget the high frequency of rape in the country. Some statistics claims that a woman is raped everyday in Nepal. This reveals the pathetic reality of women’s sovereignty in Nepal.
The frequency of rape is high in Nepal, yet rape is one of the least reported crimes even in comparison with other cases of domestic violence. Most of these rape cases never come into the public eye because women and their families do not allow them to, fearing social stigma. When somebody is raped, all their control is taken away from them and to be kept secret is a second victimization.

A girl’s over-frankness is also one of reasons among others leading to ever-lasting psychological effect in her life. Some girls invite the opposite sex with their over-frankness, over exposure of their body and much openness; and some reveal to their life-partners about their past life including how they fell victim of rape by their friends or cousins being over-frank. Many of them are bound to live with the wounds of the deadly incident throughout their life silently. Some are silent because of social stigma, some for the prestige of their family and some for their husbands and their children. Rape victims and those associated with them sometimes remain in a dilemma even long after the crime takes place.

A number of studies show that there are many undisclosed rapes in Nepal, and it is high time we took cognizance of the fact that because of a lack of social cooperation and a fear of backlash victims are keeping quiet. Recognising this fact will save hundreds and thousands of Nepali citizens from having to live in fear and silence. Speaking out comes with a host of risks, including social stigma. But an even bigger is the risk of not getting any justice. But even after speaking out, justice isn’t always delivered. There is also widespread dissatisfaction with how our courts handle rape cases and concern that the ineffectiveness of the courts leads to impunity. But it is important for these perpetrators to be punished, otherwise these acts will continue without a hitch.