Lawyers Collective releases guide for those dealing with sexual violence
By Team FI
Lawyers Collective, an NGO is bringing out a handbook titled “Locating the Survivor in the Indian Criminal Justice System: Decoding the Law”.
According to the publishers ‘the handbook attempts to demystify the law, identify the various stakeholders in the justice delivery machinery and points out the specific roles assigned to each”.
It also provides a comprehensive coverage of the survivor’s entitlement introduced by the Criminal Law (Amendment), Act, 2013 and discusses the complementary changes brought in the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
An analysis of the data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) between 2010 – 2012 reveals that the conviction rates for all major crimes against women under the Indian Penal Code have declined. The conviction rate for rape has gone down by almost 3 % between 2010- 2012. This is, despite increasing awareness amongst masses and a growing concern for women’s safety.
Lawyers Collective sates that it has been studying reasons for attrition and what deters survivors to continue with the Criminal Justice process. A major reason is distrust towards the system and unfamiliarity with the law.
There is another handbook on Do’s and Dont’s for survivors of sexual violence titled “Engaging with the Criminal Justice System: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Violence”. The publication consists of some basic questions that a survivor often has to deal with and provides necessary answers, thereby assisting the survivors of sexual offences, in navigating the criminal justice system.
Both these handbooks will be officially released by Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam on 31st March in New Delhi.