Crime

Against

Women

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We take this opportunity to thank, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been a constant source of inspiration and support professionally and personally. First and foremost, I thank my colleagues for their encouragement and support. Our sincere thanks to our mentor, Prof. Mahek. We also thank our family and friends for helping us out, supporting and encouraging us and having faith in us.

Last but not the least we would like to thank Prof. Mahek for giving us such atopic for our project which made us familiar, the topics to which we were unaware of.

Introduction:
Despite of revolutionary phase undergone by the society deep somewhere lies the same trodden attitude of people which makes us look down upon because of their acts n deeds towards the women.

We are seriously presenting on this topic to create the awareness about the hardships of the women and the girl child of the society has to go through. The topic of we are to talk about is the CRIME AGAINST WOMEN.
There are number of cases being registered every now and then before the law inorder to seek justice in matters like:

1. RAPE 2. MOLESTATION 3 .EVE-TEASING 4. DOWRY 5. TRAFFICKING 6. SEXUAL HARASSMENT

7. ADULTERY
8. SEXUAL many more. DISCRIMINATION &

Trafficking
What is Trafficking?
"Trafficking" in person broadly, means: 1. The recruitment, transportation, purchase, sale, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by threat or use of violence, abduction, force, fraud, deception or coercion (including the abuse of authority), or debt bondage for the purpose of:

2. Placing or holding such person, whether for pay or not, in forced labour or slavery like practices, in a community other than one in which such persons lived at the time of the original act described in (1).

Trafficking of children and women for various purposes including sexual exploitation is undoubtedly one of the most reprehensible and heinous crimes perpetrated against humanity. Because of a variety of reasons including non-reporting and secrecy there is no clear estimate about the magnitude of the problem yet. By all account in recent years the problem has only worsened. Trafficking has emerged as a low risk high return well organized criminal activity. Hence combating this menace is going to be a tough job for everyone concerned. What is very disturbing is that the available evidence indicates that one third of people exploited in flesh trade are children/minors. Besides, over 60% of victims belong to the Backward Classes including scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Most of them hail from poverty struck areas and are illiterates. The issues of trafficking and the Commercial Sexual exploitation of Women and Children have taken the Centre Stage in the present time because of the following reasons: 1. Increasing inter-state and inter-national trafficking of women & children. 2. Increasing reports of commercial sexual exploitation of children.

3. Greater awareness and emphasis on rights of children.

4. The global movement for redefining gender relation and the issues of subordination of female gender in Indian Society.
5. Trafficking and sexual exploitation of women /children is directly related to the overall status of women in the society. 6. Growing feminization of poverty

7.Growth of sex tourism, the entertainment industry, pornography in print, electronic and cyber media. 8. Changing public attitudes towards sex & morality.

9.

The economic and law and order ramifications of trafficking & Commercial sexual exploitation, which are part of the huge global Narco-terrorist criminal, network.

10. Women victims of commercial sexual exploitation organizing themselves to access their rights. 11. Weakening of the family structure, changing social and family scenario.

Countries world over are affected in three ways:

Home country where women are

lured to leave and join sex industry abroad. Transit country through which women are transported. Destination country where women become victims of exploitation.

Trafficking can happen in two ways:

1. By coercing/trapping/deceiving/influencing the victim for lack of job opportunities or abroad studies. 2. By victims consent in search of better financial opportunities. Trafficking has now been recognized as a sophisticated & well organized industry with political support and economic resources in countries of origin, transit and destination. It is becoming a major source of income and high profits are gained out of it are laundered and fed into other illicit activities (narcotics/arms trafficking).

Child Trafficking:
India has been identified as a source, transit and destination point in the international circuit; large numbers of children are also trafficked within the country. According to a study conducted by Shakti Vahini in 2006, Trafficking in India, 378 of the 593 districts in India are affected by human trafficking. 10% of human trafficking in India is international, while almost 90% is interstate. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are the states from where the maximum numbers of people are trafficked to other states. Intra state/inter district trafficking is high in the states of Rajasthan, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,

Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. States like Delhi and Goa are receiver states. Trafficking of women and children from the North-Eastern states of India and the bordering countries in the north-east is a serious issue but has so far not drawn public attention. There was no evidence of trafficking in Jammu & Kashmir.

Indias porous border with Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the major reasons citied for the prevalent high levels of children being trafficked every year.
Children are trafficked for several reasons including sexual exploitation; adoption; entertainment & sports (for example, acrobatics in circus, dance troupes, beer bars; as camel jockeys);

marriage; labour; begging, organ trade (though only anecdotal evidence of this is available); drug peddling and smuggling. Trafficking of children usually happens through well organized networks.

Family, relatives, friends, community leaders, brokers, the pimps and owners of brothels, the police, political connections and the criminal nexus: all or any of these have been found to be involved in the process of child trafficking.

Causes for Trafficking:

Economic Factors: Poverty, often cited as a major reason responsible for trafficking in children, is not the only cause. Loss of traditional sources of livelihood, growing unemployment, forced migration, the commoditization of children and growing consumerism resulting from globalization have all contributed to the increase in child trafficking.

The socio-economic situation and geographical location of the family add to the vulnerability. While both boys and girls are victims of trafficking, girls are more vulnerable, especially to trafficking for sexual purposes .

 Cultural, Religious and Social Factors: Anecdotal evidence suggests that through the outlawed religious practices like the Devadasi and Jogin systems, temple priests have used their position to traffick girls for prostitution.

Traffickers sell girls to the Bedia and Bacchara communities who live in Madhya Pradesh, and the border districts of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and to the Rajnats of Rajasthan , families where prostitution is traditional means of earning a livelihood.
A myth that makes young girls vulnerable is the widespread belief that sex with a virgin girl will cure men of STD and HIV/Aids.

 Geo-political Factors: India shares a porous border with over seven countries all of which is not fenced. With the connivance of border police on either side, it is not difficult to enter India. Political instability and economic compulsions are reasons for young girls from Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and even as far Uzbekistan, to be sold to traffickers.

Trafficking from these countries is a one way route, into India.

Methodology And Techniques Used:

Now the question arises, how does all this process work and operate within the system and breeds under concealment? Traffickers operate through reputable employment agencies, travel agencies, entertainment companies, advertising in newspapers or marriage agencies. Children are also notably trafficked through use of adoption procedures. Victims are obliged to pay heavy debts, their passports and money is taken away, they are threatened with violence, are beaten up or physically restrained and raped and they feel trapped in their situation as illegal immigrants.

Consequences:
Trafficking is both a human rights and developmental issue with following implications: the human, social and economic costs of the sex industry. the spread of venereal diseases and HIV/AIDS. child prostitution deprives children of the opportunity to pursue education. deprives the nation of vital human resources for development

Impact of trafficking on individuals:

Trafficked persons are traumatized by their experiences. Depression and suicidal thoughts are common. The mental state of survivors include helplessness, withdrawal, disassociation , self blame.

Trafficking survivors under go psychiatric disorders depressive disorders and psychotic disorders.
Stigmatized and outcast and facing moral and legal isolation. Vulnerable to HIV /AIDS infections, drug addiction and high risk abortions.

Social Impact of Trafficking:

Violation of whole gamut of laws and human rights. Threat to society because because traffickers operate across borders with impunity with the involvement of organized criminals. Trafficking manifests and perpetuates patriarchical attitudes and undermines efforts to promote gender equality. Enormous losses to communities and governments in terms of human and social capital investments. Loss of future productivity and earning power through low education , ill health and epidemic like HIV/ AIDS.

Legal Protection:
Though there is an Immoral Traffic Prevention Act that exists in India, it only refers to trafficking for prostitution and so does not provide comprehensive protection for children. Nor does the Act provide a clear definition of trafficking. There is a UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the Palermo Protocol) that will, when implemented, give a comprehensive definition of trafficking, but this has still not been ratified.

Recommendations:
Based on analysis of the whole issue and what has been done, propose that the following suggestions can help take us a long away in curbing this hazard and erasing this bacteria of trafficking at global level: Raising awareness amongst potential victims, police and clients of prostitution Unconditional protection to victims ( no agreement to give evidence, etc) No penalties for victims in countries of origin, transit or destination.

 Protection and support must be provided to victims.

Destination countries must establish mechanisms for legal migration.

National legislation should ensure the right to compensation to victims. Prevention strategies in countries of origin must be reflected in poverty reduction and social development strategies. Governments must develop a comprehensive witness protection mechanism. Governments must strengthen legislation against all perpetrators of trafficking including transnational criminals

 Comprehensive and grounded sociological research must be conducted.

It is only through the sensitization of the issue that trafficking can be shattered into pieces.
The world must wake up to this menace in time and criminalize it by raising ethical considerations on the issue in the civil society. By addressing to the problems of poverty, unemployment and gender inequality this illegally established and settled industry can be thrown away from this worlds sphere.

Report:
India tops in women trafficking
New Delhi: India has emerged as a key destination and transit point for global trafficking of women and girls, a UN report has said. Besides India, other sources of human trafficking are Thailand, Pakistan, China and Cambodia, the United Nations Population Fund report on State of World Population said.

"India and Pakistan are major destinations for trafficked women and girls and also transit points into the Middle East," it said.

According to the report, human trafficking is the third most lucrative illicit business in the world after arms and drugs and a major source of organized crime revenue. The industry generates an estimated seven billion to $12 billion annually and according to International Labour Organization estimates traffickers net an additional $32 billion a year once the victims are in the destination country.

WE ARE NOT FOR SALE

In South Asia, illegal trading of children is of particular concern as it is "an extension of a serious child labour problem, which includes the exploitation of girls for domestic work," the report said.

It said the largest number of women trafficked in Asia are from within or from the region.

"Trafficked women are usually forced into prostitution and sex tourism, commercial marriages and other "female" occupations such as domestic work, agricultural and sweatshop labour," it said.
South-East Asia and South Asia are home to the largest numbers of internationally trafficked persons, at an estimated 2.25 lakhs and 1.5 lakhs respectively.

Definitions
Unwelcome sexual behavior or sexual innuendo that has the effect of offending, intimidating or humiliating a person in circumstances, which a reasonable person having regard to all the circumstances would have anticipated that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment may be explicit or implicit. It may be a single incident or occur over a period of time. In defining & identifying sexual harassment it is the effect of the behaviour that is relevant not the intent. It is the impact of the behaviour on the receiver that determines whether sexual harassment has occurred.

Examples of behaviours that may constitute sexual harassment include: sexual jokes, lewd suggestions, whistling, foul language, leering, obscene gestures.

persistent demands for participation in social activities or repeated requests for dates.
asking about a person's private or sex life, explicit sexual suggestions in return for 'reward. unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature including touching, brushing, kissing. display of pornographic and/or sexually suggestive pictures, screen savers, jokes etc and/or sexual objects.

sexually offensive written, telephone or electronic communications indecent exposure; and sexual assault and rape.

* Sexual assault and rape are criminal offences and the person assaulted will be advised to report the offence to the police. * Sexual harassment does not refer to behaviour that is mutually acceptable to the parties involved. Friendships (whether sexual or otherwise) are a private concern.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. As a result, when it occurs on the job it violates the laws against sex discrimination in the workplace, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is unwelcome behavior that happens to you because of your sex. Frequently the fact that its sexual is a clear sign that, but for your sex, you would not have been targeted.

It includes:
Unwelcome sexual advances. Request for sexual favors, or Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Principles
1. Consistent with legislation this policy is based on the philosophy of using education and conciliation as the principal approach to the prevention of discrimination & harassment; & in the resolution of grievances.
2. Sexual harassment is an unacceptable form of behaviour that causes distress & is detrimental to the University environment. Sexual harassment erodes the rights of the individual, debilitates morale & interferes with the effectiveness of the work and learning environment. 3. Sexual harassment most often occurs in relationships of unequal power or authority, although it may also take place between peers.

In providing a working & learning environment free of harassment it is important to recognize that certain groups may be particularly vulnerable particularly vulnerable including: Indigenous women. people from non-English-speaking backgrounds. people with disabilities.

people working or learning in non-traditional areas.

women working in isolated areas.

Impact of Sexual Harassment on Women

To understand the impact of sexual harassment on women one must listen to the account of its victims as no one conveys the meaning & truth of sexual harassment better than the women who have endured it. In response to the question "What kind of emotional response does eve teasing /sexual harassment evoke in you", not a single woman ticked the category of "indifferent". The survey of the Gender Study Group shows that most women felt disgusted, insulted and scared by any sort of harassment. Women often internalize male perceptions of sexual harassment & blame themselves for having brought on the harassment.

They not only doubt the validity of their own experiences but begin to believe that they themselves must be 'abnormal', 'cheap' , 'indecent' or deserving the violence that comes their way.
Most respondents, men and women, described 'verbal harassment' as eve teasing and contrasted this with 'physical harassment' which has been seen as sexual harassment. They described eve teasing as relatively harmless behavior committed usually by strangers, while sexual harassment would be grievous committed by acquaintances or men in positions of institutional power. In addition, most men and women described eve teasing as isolated incidents while sexual harassment would typically be repetitive and sustained over a long period of time.

Many respondents said that they felt extreme anger, frustration & helplessness at not being able to do anything about the harassment. Many women having faced this behaviour also said that they find it difficult to trust or have friendships with men. In response to the question "Has sexual harassment /eve teasing affected your academic/personal development in any way?' ,45% of women stated that sexual harassment on Delhi campus roads has affected their personal or academic development in one way or another. Many women have found a way of handling these situations by changing their personalities but at one level these changes are also forced by the circumstances over which they have no control, and has left some of them bitter.

Authority Structures Despite gross instances of sexual harassment in the past the Delhi University administration has not treated sexual harassment as a serious problem which has traumatic consequences for the women. The university administrators do not want to recognized the magnitude of the problem of sexual harassment faced by women in the University, everyday. The general attitude of the administration has by and large been one that either disbelieves the victim or blames her for 'provoking harassment'. By treating sexual harassment as 'normal' the administration has systematically legimatised the sexist violence women face in the University

What can women students do?

Women need to strategize about their safety and not simply ' avoid going out in the late evening alone'. Some strategies that women could use in case of Street Harassment are:

ignore as a strategy.
scream for help.
lash out. Push the person away & hit them with slippers /bags. Use self-defense mechanisms E.g. kick them off balance.

Note down the number & features of the vehicle.

It is a mater of concern that 91.7% of the women hosteller respondents reported having faced harassment on the campus. This report came out in 1996, however nothing concrete has still been done to tackle this problem. It is about time that the university authorities, the teachers associations and various student bodies take responsibility and through open discussions take a political stand, which would ensure action to make the campus safer for its women students. It is important that we question our own perceptions on the issue of harassment, before we can bring about any change!

Law on Sexual Harassment

Undeterred by the absence of legislation covering the issue of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace, the Supreme Court has laid down the necessary guidelines & norms in, Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, for the protection of the fundamental rights of women, violated, as a result of Sexual Harassment at Work. The Court has emphasized that the guidelines and norms being laid down by it had to be duly observed at all workplaces or other institutions until a legislation is enacted for this purpose & that these should be treated as law under Art 141 of the Constitution. These guidelines are in accordance with the recommendations & conventions of various international organizations like the ILO & the European Communities

What can YOU do if you are a victim of sexual harassment ? Tell the harasser to STOP Speak out Keep a Record of the harassment If required, get a medical check-up

Take a trusted person into confidence

File a complaint with the CPSHW, G-101, SOCE, IGNOU

Create a support group of women

Read the Guidelines on Sexual Harassment Be Courageous ! Seek redressal !

Steps for Employers, Supervisors, Directors

Provide a safe working environment for women Inform yourself about sexual harassment guidelines & the complaints procedure Be aware of inappropriate behaviour at the work place

Ensure that inappropriate behaviour is promptly dealt with

Understand the devastating effects of harassment upon women Understand the reasons why women remain silent about sexual harassment Encourage open lines of communication with employees, colleagues, and co-workers

Molestation
Molestation is the sexual exploitation of a child or a woman by an adult for sexual gratification or for profit. Sexual abuse may include: Fondling Mutual masturbation

Sodomy
Coitus

Child pornography and child prostitution

More often than not, all of these horrible things occur with the knowledge of an adult beyond the perpetrator. That person and those of us whose contact is less direct have an obligation to report these crimes. Thus, molestation is the act of subjecting someone to unwanted or improper sexual advances or activity (especially women or children) When the word molestation is used, it is often preceded by the word child. Molestation occurs when someoneeither an adult or even another child has any kind of sexual contact with another individual. Child molestation occurs when an individual sees a child as a sexual object and advances on this idea. It is a form of sexual assault or sexual abuse. It includes fondling or masturbation of the victim or the abuser, sexual kissing, or forced exposure to sexual media.

While it is natural for children to explore their bodies, a line can be crossed when a child is forced or coerced into doing something they do not want to do. Molestation is a heinous crime; it shows the mentality of the men living in the society. Stricter laws should be made against womens violation to keep women safe and maintain a healthier environment. If the Union Women & Child Development Ministry has its way, molesters will face a hard time as the Government is planning to make the laws stricter for the culprits. Molestation other than covering everything mentioned earlier may also cover Eve teasing. Eve teasing refers to all forms of harassment women face in public spaces that are considered trivial, funny & a part of day to day life,& reduce the modesty of the victims.

Signs of Molestation

When an adult is molested, there are certain signs which may suggest that Molestation took place.
Signs of Molestation in Adults:

Physical Signs:
Bruises or Lacerations on parts of the Body. Unexplained injuries on parts of the body. Torn, strained or bloody clothing or undergarments. Irritation or pain in the genital area. Symptoms of a Sexually transmitted disease or a venereal disease. Difficulty in urinating

Symptoms of pregnancy

Behavioral Signs:
Depression or loneliness Self Abuse or suicidal behaviour Drug or Alcohol Abuse Nightmares Unexplained or unpredicted behaviour patterns. Sudden loss or increase in sexual behaviour

In the case of Children it is difficult to identify because they may be scared to talk about such an incident. It is important to be very supportive of them as they might feel that it is their fault & would shudder from the experience.

Signs of Molestation in Children:

Behavioral changes like unpredictable mood swings, depression and excessive crying.

Sleep Disturbances like Bed-wetting, nightmares and lack of sleep.

A sudden act of aggressive or rebellious behavior in school or at home. Infantile behavior like sucking of thumb & clinging Strained or torn undergarments or clothes.

A fear of certain places or certain types of people Pain, itching, bleeding, redness or rawness in the private areas

Laws against Molestation

In cases where the accused molests or insults the modesty of a woman by way of obscene acts or by means of words, gesture, or acts that are intended to insult the modesty and dignity of a woman, he shall be punished under the following sections.
Under Sec.294 the obscene act must cause annoyance. The annoyance should be done in a public place & cause mental harassment. Section.509 of IPC, comes into effect when there is an intention to insult the modesty of any woman by the offender by uttering any word, making any sound or gesture or by exhibiting any object, with the intention that such word or such sound be heard, or that such gesture or object be seen by such a woman, or by intruding upon the privacy of such a woman.

Section 354 of the IPC considers the assault or criminal force to woman with the intention to outrage her modesty. This offense is considered less serious than Rape. Punishment: Upto two years imprisonment or a fine or both. Section 323 punishes anyone causing voluntarily hurt(non cognizable) Punishment: Upto one year or Rs. 1000 or both. The Criminal Law Amendment Act has substantially changed Sections.375 and 376 of the IPC. Several new sections have been introduced therein- viz.

t Minister Renuka Chowdhury, who held a meeting with officiSection. 376(A) punishes sexual intercourse with wife without her consent by a judicially separated husband.

Section. 376(B) punishes for sexual intercourse by a public servant with a woman in custody. Section. 376(C) punishes sexual intercourse by superintendent of jail, remand house, etc. whereas
Section. 376(D) punishes sexual intercourse by any member of the management or staff of a hospital with any woman in that hospital.

Women and Child Developmenals from the National Commission for Women and a group of lawyers said The laws are being examined with an aim to ensure that they are implemented properly, she said.

Mind of a Molester
A person would generally molest out of lust. But many wrongdoers also do it just for fun. In our society women are looked upon as just objects of lust and not given the due respect that they deserve in society. A Molester may perform the action for one or more of the following reasons:
Lust: Men would often be overcome by a hunger for lust and hence would stoop to the level of molesting any woman around. Generally molestation could also result in rape in this case. To embarrass the woman: In crowded place when men see that the woman is alone then he may molest her to embarrass or ridicule her in front of the entire crowd.

To take revenge: If the molester has a skirmish with the woman then molestation may occur as a sign of aggression from the Molesters side. Just for Fun: This is perhaps the most inexplicable and horrifying reason. A molester does not understand what the woman goes through and he would molest just for a laugh for him or his friends.

When Drunk: In an inebriated state, a person would not be in his senses and would resort to molestation under the effect of Alcohol. Sign of the Male Dominance: In our society, women are unfortunately called the Weaker Sex and Men believe that they can easily dominate the Women. Sometimes the Molester performs the actions just to prove his dominance over the women.

How to report Molestation

Mostly women would want to forget about incident or feel too embarrassed to pursue the issue with the police. But the police can do nothing to curb this social evil unless the women report or lodge an FIR with the police. A woman who has the courage to complain when her dignity has been challenged would be a beacon of hope for other women and help punish the disgusting perverts.

The society would appreciate these courageous women who pursue the matter with the police as it acts as a severe deterrent for future occurrences. If Women remain scared now they will remain scared forever.

The women should follow the following procedure :

Assess the situation first, if it was a casual pass then it maybe ignored.
Discuss it with family members and decide the course of action. While reporting it to the police, demand anonymity. If you cannot approach the police then approach local NGOs who can help you cope up with the incident and also get the accused punished. In the case of Child Molestation cases extra care needs to be taken.

Talk to the child politely and also make him forget about the whole incident.
Parents or close relatives should report the matter to the police.

Practical Tips to avoid molestation

Molestation could happen to girls if they are generally at crowded places or at lonely places. Molestation could happen anywhere though. We can not rely on the police to be present everywhere & hence we need to take care of ourselves. The following tips may help us to avoid going through such an experience.
1) Avoid going in a very crowded bus or train. If in a local train avoid traveling in the gents compartment. Once it gets really crowded around you, it becomes impossible to protect yourself from molesters. 2) If you are returning home late then make sure that you have male company to drop you or you have your own car or vehicle to get home safely.

3) Avoid going to places where there is a large crowd of people like Festivals, Sporting events etc If you do visit such places then there is every chance of being pushed, touched or groped in a crowd.
4) If you are all alone in a public place and you have people passing lewd comments or staring at your private parts then it is advisable to either leave or inform any police officer or any decent gentlemen who are around. But if you see a gang of miscreants passing comments at you, then you should leave from the place before it gets uglier.

5) If you are partying or at a pub, stay away from strangers who maybe under the influence of alcohol.

6) Avoid too much skin show or unnecessary exposure at an inappropriate place. It will just invite stares or lewd comments from people. 7) Do not share a rickshaw or a cab with unknown people at a deserted location. Avoid taking lifts from strangers. 8) All in all be alert wherever you are. If people do pass comments, eve tease when you are alone then its advisable to get away from that place first and then report the matter to the concerned authority. But if you are touched, groped or molested then do raise the issue with the police so that the miscreants do not go unpunished.

Consequences of Molestation Studies have shown that molested victims may develop problems relating to Depression, Fear, Anxiety and Sexual dysfunction. The consequences may be short lived but can also last for a long time if the emotional trauma faced by the victim is large. There are evidences that suggest that the victim also suffers from mental health problems after victimization. In the case of Child Molestation, the consequences or the repercussions may be more severe. Sexually abused or molested children often withdraw themselves from their daily activities. They have a feeling of guilt within them for having witnessed such an incident. They are too young to understand what it was and also refrain from discussing it with parents or teachers.

In some rare unfortunate cases it so happens that the child who gets molested may actually begin to enjoy the experience and thus maybe on the lookout for more of them.

Thus at a very young age, they might get interested in sexual activity and hence may lose focus at studies. Such children need to be counseled and made to understand that what they went through was criminal. It also may happen that the molested of today becomes the molester of tomorrow.
As he had gone through the experience as a child, he might want to try it in the future. These cases have to be curbed and can be done by proper guidance and counseling at a young age itself.

Sexual Harassment and Molestation Sexual harassment and molestation are two sides of the same coin. Both have victims like women and children. Both have the same objective, to undermine the integrity of the victim, physically as well as mentally. Sexual harassment is harassment or unwelcome attention of a sexual nature. It includes a range of behavior from mild transgressions and annoyances to serious abuses, which can even involve forced sexual activity.

It has been suggested that the term sexual harassment was coined in 1974 at Cornell University in USA. It was only in 1997 that, in the realm of juridical interpretation, the object sexual harassment of working women was named and defined.

Sexual Harassment in India is unwelcome sexual gesture or behaviour whether directly or indirectly as sexually coloured remarks; physical contact and advances; showing pornography; a demand or request for sexual favours; any other unwelcome physical, verbal/non-verbal conduct being sexual in nature. The critical factor is the unwelcomeness of the behaviour, thereby making the impact of such actions on the recipient more relevant rather than intent of the perpetrator

Facts about Molestation

India is home to the largest number of sexual abused children in the World.
It is estimated that one of every three girls and one of every five boys before the age of 18 have been sexually molested. A nationwide survey conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child development threw light on the amount of Child Abuse that children suffer in our country.

53% of the children surveyed in the survey reported Sexual Abuse.

Sexual abuse of the children is highest at work followed by those at Institutional care.

The number of cases of Sexual Harassment in India in 2002 were 10,155, an increase of 4.2 per cent over the previous year (9746). There has been a steady increase in the number of women reporting sexual harassment, from 4,756 in 1995 to 11,024 in 2000. A survey by the National Womens Commission reports that 46.58% of women report sexual harassment in the work place; only about 3.54% report the matter to authorities; 1.4% reported it to the police. In 2001, a five-state survey of workplace sexual harassment undertaken by Sakshi, a NGO in New Delhi, reported that 80% of the respondents said sexual harassment existed in their work place.

In India every 26 minutes, a woman is molested In India every 34 minutes, a woman is raped.

Till December 2007, in Mumbai there had been 160 cases of rape reported and there were about 1100 cases of molestation, eve teasing and other crimes against Women. In India every 93 minutes, a woman is killed.

In Delhi in 2007, there were 587 reported cases of rape. Of the people arrested in rape cases, 340 were neighbors, 94 were friends and 62 were relatives. Only in ten cases, the accused were strangers

Treating Women molested in Childhood

If a woman was molested as a Child then she should not continue to live with the trauma for the rest of her life. It is important to make her realize that it is not the end of the World for her. We have to increase her focus on her day to day activities. We have to ensure that we dont remind her of the incident again. We can also encourage the victim to seek emotional help from a professional counselor and we have to emphasize to the victim the need to empower themselves through taking back control of their lives because Life doesnt stop there. The victim may get into depression, but Happiness can find its way through even in the darkest hours of our lives. The victim must start resolving their feelings about themselves and their experience. She should no longer be a victim but a survivor.

We should encourage her not to be the prisoner of the past but the architect of the future. She may latch on to a friend or a Family member for security & inspiration. We should make her shift her focus away from the Incident & make her realize that it no longer controls her life. We should provide support & encouragement to her in all her endeavors & should make her set short term & long term goals for herself. If the woman had undergone any physical injuries then it is important to get her regular medical attention from a certified Doctor

All said & done as a society we need to mature & not look down upon at such victims. They need our support & not sympathy. encouragement to her in all her endeavors & should make her set short term & long term goals for herself.

Mumbai Molestation Incident

On January 1st, 2008, all of Mumbai woke up to gory images of two women being molested and hounded by a mob of about 60 people outside Mumbais most posh hotel, the J.W. Marriot in Juhu. The mob tore up the womans clothes and groped her for as the girls male companions tried helplessly to protect them. The men were completely overpowered by the strong mob. A Hindustan Times lensman was present & captured the gory images on his Camera.
A big posse of police personal posted close to the venue was later alerted by the Lensman & drove away the miscreants but not before they had molested the girls for about 15minutes. The incident occurred at about 1.45 am on December 31st night when the two girls were returning from the Hotel and were heading towards Juhu Beach, located in the suburbs of Mumbai.

A similar incident had shamed Mumbai exactly an year ago,a girl was molested by New Years eve revelers at the Gateway of India. That incident too was captured on film by another popular tabloid in Mumbai. Mumbai used to be regarded as the safest city for Women in India. But this reputation seems to be diminishing as crimes against Women are reported daily. The New Years molestation incident was an eye opener for the Safest City in India. About 14 men who were part of the mob were imprisoned by the Police but later let off as they were not the actual molesters. The women who were on the receiving end were NRIs & came forward to help the police to nab the miscreants. But what was shocking was that the , Police Commissioner D N Jadhav downplaying the incident accused the Media of making a Mountain of a Molehill He went on to add, Such things can happen anywhere anytime. Here also where I am. It is just an offence. Why are you blowing it out of proportion?

Useful Contacts/ NGOs

1). Women Power Connect:

Women Power Connect (WPC) is a national level organization of womens groups and individuals working together for formalizing the process of legislative coordination. A1/125, First Floor Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi 110029 Telefax:011 42705170 Tele: 011 42705171/72 Email: mail@womenpowerconnect.org

2) Saprem 11 Panchashil Bldg. Katemanivali. Dyrgamata Mandir Road. Kalyan (E) Thane 421306 Contact Person: Mr. Prakesh Gaikwad The NGO Works towards preventing child abuse

3) Co Ordinators Committee for Vulnerable Children (CCVC) C/O Bandra East Community Centre 341/ A Siddhrath Colony. Bandra (E) Mumbai 400051 Contact Person: Mr. Savio Mathew Fax: 022 26515029 Email: ccvc@indya.com The NGO Fights against child abuse 4)Terres De Homes 5/ B 104 Asmita Mogra Co- Op Hsg. Society. Andheri (E). Mumbai 400093 Contact Person: Ms. Vidya Apte Tel: 022 28353291 Email: tdindia@vsnl.com Website: www.childrenrightsindia.org It supports basic child right activities of different organisations in their fight against child abuse, child trafficking etc The Progressive Organisation for Women

5) Alochana A Pune based NGO It has been conducting a programme called Muskan for spreading awareness about child sexual abuse 6) Akshara An NGO working for women in Mumbai. http://www.aksharacentre.org/ 7) APNE AAP WOMEN COLLECTIVE http://www.apneaap.info/ 9) CORP http://www.corpindia.org// 10) MAVA http://www.mavaindia.org 11) WOMENS INDIA TRUST http://www.wit.org.in/

Conclusion:
To conclude it would be in simpler words as such
that after brief knowledge about the project topic it could be just said that it is not CRIME AGAINST WOMEN BUT CRIME BEING A WOMEN.

Webliography
www.answers.com www.unc.edu www.equalrights.org www.lotsofessays.com www.essaysexample.com www.google.com www.yahoo.com

 www.molestation.in

www.myeducation.com
www.equalrights.org

www.wikipedia.com