CRIME AGAINST WOMEN AND CHLDREN
First Off
The problem of crime against women and children is urgent and persistent in communities all around the world. These two categories are frequently easy candidates for abuse and exploitation due to their vulnerability. This article explores the terrible reality of these crimes, illuminating the many kinds of offences, their underlying causes, and the actions that may be done to solve this pressing problem.
Crime Categories
- Violence Against Women: Incidents such as sexual assault, domestic abuse, and human trafficking are all considered forms of violence against women. Millions of women worldwide are impacted by domestic abuse in particular, which can leave lifelong physical and psychological scars. Victims of sexual assault, harassment, and rape often experience severe trauma that negatively affects their mental and emotional health.
- Another horrible crime that mostly targets women and children is human trafficking, sometimes known as “modern-day slavery.” In addition to being physically and psychologically abused, victims are coerced into prostitution, labour, or other types of exploitation.
- Crimes Against Children: A variety of crimes, including physical abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation, are committed against children. Since individuals closest to the victim frequently commit child abuse, it is a more heinous crime. Whether a result of poverty or apathy, neglect may have a serious negative impact on a child’s physical and mental health. Sexual exploitation of children involves the use of child pornography and child prostitution, both of which deprive kids of their youth and their innocence.
Primary Causes
- Gender Inequality: Gender inequality is a major contributing factor to crime against women. Women are more prone to experience violence and discrimination in communities where they are viewed as men’s inferiors or subordinate. Reducing such atrocities requires addressing gender inequality and advancing women’s empowerment.
- Poverty and Illiteracy: Families in difficult financial situations may turn to child labour or prostitution as a means of surviving, which is why poverty is frequently associated with child abuse and exploitation. A parent’s lack of knowledge might make the issue worse since they might not fully comprehend the repercussions of their actions.
- Cultural Norms: Some societies continue to practise harmful traditional practises that put women and children at risk, like female genital mutilation and child marriage. For long-term success, these standards must be challenged and changed.
- Inadequate Legal Frameworks: Crime against women and children might persist due to lax legal frameworks and lax enforcement. In order to reduce these crimes, it is imperative that legal frameworks be strengthened and that offenders get the proper punishment.
The Function of Government and Society
- Education and Awareness: The first step in tackling the problem is educating people about crime against women and children. Education initiatives that emphasise gender equality, child safety, and the rights of women and children should focus on schools, communities, and families.
- Services for Support: Governments and non-governmental organisations ought to create and provide funding for victim services such as counselling, shelters, and legal assistance. These tools can give victims the confidence to come forward and ask for justice.
- Legal Reforms: It is imperative that laws pertaining to child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence be changed. These laws ought to safeguard victims, bring charges against violators, and guarantee the implementation of preventative and remedial measures.
- Involvement of the Community: Communities are essential to the prevention of crimes against women and children. It is important to help victims and encourage neighbours, friends, and family to report suspicious activity.
Conclusion
Crime against women and children is a serious issue that requires quick response. Governments, individuals, and society as a whole have a shared obligation to safeguard our community’s most vulnerable people. Through tackling the underlying reasons, fortifying legal structures, and offering assistance, we can progressively lower the frequency of these offences and provide a more secure and fair environment for women and children.
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Author: Devyani Kunwar a student at NLC, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University