The Urgent Need to Address Marital Rape in India
Tech & worsening of sexual violence within marriage
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Context
Marital rape refers to non-consensual sexual acts between spouses, which is not recognized as a crime in India. The legal exception allows for continued abuse under the guise of marriage, complicating the pursuit of justice for victims.
What The Author Says
The authors argue that the legal framework in India must evolve to criminalize marital rape, as current laws fail to protect women's autonomy and bodily integrity.
Key Arguments
📗 Facts
- In March 2026, CNN aired an investigation on drug-facilitated sexual violence, revealing that 62 million monthly visits were recorded on a porn site featuring such content.
- In Mumbai, a woman was drugged and raped by her husband, with the incident recorded and uploaded online.
- According to a report, 95% of rape cases involve offenders known to the victim.
📕 Opinions
- The current legal framework minimizes the severity of marital rape by failing to recognize it as a crime.
- The argument that criminalizing marital rape would destabilize marriage is outdated and unjust.
Counterpoints
Criminalizing marital rape could lead to false accusations.
While false accusations are a concern, they exist in many legal contexts and should not prevent the protection of genuine victims.
Existing domestic violence laws are sufficient.
Current laws do not adequately address the specific nature of marital rape, which requires distinct legal recognition and response.
Marital stability is crucial for family structure.
Prioritizing the institution of marriage over individual rights undermines personal autonomy and can perpetuate cycles of abuse.
Bias Assessment
The authors focus on the need for legal reform while potentially overlooking cultural contexts that influence marriage dynamics.
Why This Matters
Recent investigations have highlighted the alarming rise of drug-facilitated sexual violence within marriages, particularly in India, where existing laws inadequately address these issues.
🤔 Think About
- •What are the implications of criminalizing marital rape on societal views of marriage?
- •How can legal reforms be implemented without fear of misuse?
- •What role does technology play in both facilitating and combating sexual violence?
- •How can public awareness be raised to support victims of marital rape?
Opens original article on Hindustan Times
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