Acid Attack: Having a Corrosive Substance Thrown At You

    “Hello there! I’m here to provide you with a bit of information on what acid attacks are, its various facets, and the Indian laws relevant to this abuse. Experiencing abuse in any form is NOT OKAY, but what you are experiencing as a result of abuse is valid. What you, as a bystander, are going through while supporting a survivor is absolutely okay and typical too!  If you need additional resources or just someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to The Neeti Project."

(Image Source: Deccan Chronicle)

Written By: Shashank Ramachandran

What is an Acid Attack? 

An acid attack, also known as vitriol attack or vitriolage, is a form of assault, where acid or any other corrosive substance is thrown on the body of another, with the intention of hurting them. 

This can result in severe damage of skin tissue and sometimes even the bones. 

Perpetrators of acid attacks generally throw acid on the survivor’s face, which can lead to partial or  complete blindness. Sulfuric acid, nitric acid and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) are the most commonly used substances in these attacks.

The number of reported acid violence cases in India is close to around 200 per year. In 2013, the Supreme Court termed acid attacks as "worse than murder". Globally, 80 percent of acid attack survivors are women and 76 per cent of the attacks are committed by a person known to the victim (Rai, 2022). 

What Causes Acid Attacks? 

1. Male Dominant Society:  

Societies that stem from patriarchy, that favor men, and that view women as 'property' that move from father to husband, tend to normalize and allow acid attacks. This notion includes men from patriarchal societies as not being used to rejection or taking "no" as an answer. This skewed value-system forces them to react in adverse manners which include engaging in acid attacks.

2. Easy Access To Acids: 

Acids are available at pharmacies and automobile repair shops because they are commonly used as cleaning agents in households. Acids being inexpensive also means that they stay comfortably within reach of the common man.

3. Domestic Violence: 

Domestic violence continues to remain appallingly prevalent amongst Indian households. Acid attacks are often resorted to by husbands or partners when their wife or companion disobeys their needs or desires (Jayakumar, n.d.).  

What Are the Effects of Acid Attacks on Victims or Survivors? 

1. Physical Effects: 

• The severity of the physical effects depends on the concentration of the acid and the time taken for the acid to be washed away or neutralized. 
• Acid eats away the skin, the fat underneath it and can even dissolve the bone. 
• The victim/survivors' eyelids may be burned, leading to temporary or permanent blindness. 
• The victim/survivors' ears and nose cartilage may be destroyed. 
• Scars can run down from the face to the neck, affecting the victim/survivors' range of motion. 
• The victim/survivors' lips may be destroyed making eating and talking extremely difficult.

2. Psychological Effects: 

Physical effects of acid attacks can leave one scarred for life but it is the psychological aftermath of acid attacks that can increase trauma for the survivor. Survivors can experience: 

• insomnia
• headaches
• depression
• social anxiety 
• fear of further attacks

They may feel like they have been cast out of society, which can severely affects their self-image and their self-confidence.

3. Socio-Economic Effects: 

• Survivors may find it difficult to find friends and more often than not they may not get married, due to the unwillingness of people to have acid attack survivors as their spouses. 
• Survivors may also experience difficulty in finding employment. 
• Active effort is required to change the mindset of  people. It is crucial to understand that survivors of acid attacks are still a part of society and deserve equality (Lasting Effects of Acid Attacks, 2014). 

What Laws are Relevant to Acid Attacks in India? 

• IPC Section 325 lays down the Punishment For Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt as imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and that the perpetrator shall also be liable to fine.
• IPC Section 326 deals with Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt By Dangerous Weapons Or Means. It states that whoever voluntarily causes grievous hurt to the survivor or victim by means of any instrument which when used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or that they shall also be liable to fine.
• On 2nd April 2013, the Indian Penal Code was amended with the passing of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. The amendment resulted in the insertion of Sections 326A and 326B specifically for dealing with acid violence (Jayakumar, n.d.). 

Which Protection Schemes are Relevant to Acid Attacks in India? 

• Urgent help needed for survivors is provided through relief funds given by the Indian government. The National Legal Services Authority mentions the NALSA Scheme (2016) for the same. 
• The Supreme Court has also asked for free treatment and a minimum of three lakhs compensation to be given to acid attack victims/ survivors'. Based on the degree of damage to the victim/survivor, the government has extended this compensation to 10 lakhs. 
• The National Commission for Women (NCW) has listed that compensation must be given to survivors or their families within 2 months (Raj, 2022). 

Resources: 

Here are a few organizations in major Indian cities that provide survivors with financial assistance and psychological therapy.

• Chennai: International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC): Contact - 1800 1027282
• Mumbai: Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation: Contact - +917019721187
• Kolkata - Acid Survivors & Women Welfare Foundation INDIA - ASWWF: Contact - 90076 12727

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References

Acid attack worse than murder, says SC. (2013, November 19). DNA India. https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-acid-attack-worse-than-murder-says-sc-1112165

Jayakumar, S. (n.d.). A brief analysis of acid attacks on women in India. Legal Service India. https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-5989-a-brief-analysis-of-acid-attacks-on-women-in-india.html

Nath, S. (n.d.) How to provide emergency medical care in case of an acid attack: The do’s & don’ts. The Better India. https://www.thebetterindia.com/206130/chhapaak-acid-attack-how-to-help-victim-emergency-treatment-helpline-india/

Rai, D. (2022, December 15). Scars of life: Thousand acid attacks in India in 5 years, yet very few survivors got justice. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/acid-attacks-in-india-over-thousand-in-5-years-yet-very-few-got-justice-2309627-2022-12-15

Raj, A. (2022, May 12). Why does India have such high numbers of acid attacks. Feminism In India. https://feminisminindia.com/2022/05/12/why-does-india-have-such-high-numbers-of-acid-attacks/

The Borgen Project. (2014, September 7) Lasting Effects Of Acid Attacks. https://borgenproject.org/lasting-effects-acid-attacks/