Crimes against Women: An Indian Perspective.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of India lists the following crimes under the title 'Crimes against Women': rape, kidnapping and abduction, dowry death, torture, molestation, sexual harassment, importation of girls, cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, Sati Prevention Act, Dowry Prohibition Act and Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act. A total of 164765 cases were reported in 2006. This number represents about 8.2% of total number of reported crimes as defined under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The present paper examines these statistics using a broader cultural, social, political and historical context. It also examines the problems in the interpretation and reliability of these numbers. It discusses the dark figures and problems in reporting, charge-sheeting and prosecution of these crimes. It outlines the efforts of national, international and grassroots organizations in addressing the issues. Drawing from Indian feminist and women's studies literature it summarizes and presents a conceptual background to enable a better understanding of the problem. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]