The Reality in Numbers
In India, rape is a distressingly frequent crime. According to the most recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there were about 31,000 reported rape cases in 2022, keeping numbers above 30,000 for several years now. Reuters+2Wikipedia+2
On average, that works out to about 85–90 rapes reported every single day. Reuters+3Deccan Herald+3Wikipedia+3
Under-Reporting: The Hidden Numbers
These reported figures, however, are only part of the story. Many rape incidents go unreported. Due to social stigma, fear of reprisals, family pressure, distrust in law enforcement or legal processes, many survivors do not approach the police. Exact figures for under-reporting are hard to come by, but some studies suggest large gaps between actual incidents and those reported. SSRN+1
For example, media reports often claim “one woman is raped every 15-20 minutes”—figures that assume reporting, but they ignore the dark figure of unreported cases. It’s believed that a significant percentage—sometimes more than half of sexual violence incidents—are never officially recorded. Wikipedia+2Reuters+2
Why Women Don’t Report
- Stigma and shame: Fear of community gossip, being blamed, or harming their family’s reputation.
- Fear of retaliation: From the perpetrator, or from members of the perpetrator’s circle.
- Distrust in the police or judicial process: Delays, insensitivity, lack of privacy or protection, or belief that their case will not be taken seriously.
- Lack of awareness: Some do not know their legal rights, or how to access help.
Can Death Penalty Help?
One proposed solution is to make the penalty for rape as harsh as the death penalty. While the idea appeals to many because it seems like strong deterrence, it has pros and cons:
- Pros: Could create fear in potential perpetrators, signal that society takes sexual violence extremely seriously, may boost confidence of survivors if the legal system is swift and fair.
- Cons: Risk of wrongful convictions, delays in trials could make punishment irrelevant, death penalty does not address root causes (patriarchy, social attitudes, police inefficiency), might deter some survivors from reporting due to fear of chain reaction (e.g. family of accused).
What Can Be Done
- Strengthen legal processes: Faster trials, better protection for survivors (privacy, medical, counseling), ensure police and courts are sensitized.
- Awareness and education: Educate communities about consent, women’s rights. School programmes, media campaigns.
- Support systems: Safe houses, helplines, trauma counseling, legal aid made easily accessible.
- Community involvement: Change in social norms, encouraging people to support victims rather than stigmatize.
- Improve law enforcement: Better training, accountability, faster FIR registration, use of technology (CCTV, digital evidence).
Conclusion: India is still far from being safe for women in terms of sexual violence. Reported numbers are high and under-reporting remains a huge challenge. While the death penalty could play a role, it is not a silver bullet. Lasting change will come from legal reform, social awareness, and systems that empower survivors.