Executive Summary

Violence against women is one of the most crucial social mechanisms by which women are
forced into a subordinate position compared with men. Acid attack is a form of violence
against women and comes under the umbrella of gender-based violence. It burns through
the victim’s skin, melts the bones and causes severe untreatable injuries. A scar caused by
acid reminds the victim of the nightmare she experienced. Despite all the expensive long-
term treatments and plastic surgeries, the victim goes under, the scars remain there. In fact,
it becomes a part of the victim’s life.

A number of governments like Bangladesh and Pakistan have passed law against it. But
other countries are still missing laws prohibiting this specific crime. A few countries
established governmental hospitals specializing in treating acid burns and offer free
facilities; however, even in these countries, a vast number of victims do not get the
appropriate treatment. This is due to lack of services, poor economical situations, cultural
beliefs that forbid women from seeking help and many other social and legislation factors.

In this research I have analysed the issue in depth. I have tried to study the cause and effects
of acid attack also I have studied the government scheme’s available and government
initiative taken towards the welfare of acid attack victims. During the research secondary
data was collected by referring many research papers and online websites. Based on the
collection of data and findings necessary suggestions are given to prevent such abusive
situation in future.

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Introduction
Women constitute an important part in the society. They are responsible for giving birth to a
life but unfortunately, they are made to lose their lives in name of different brutalities
committed against them. Whenever a woman decides to raise her voice against her
substandard position in the male-controlled society, she is shunned by different means;
either by acid, physical abuse or by burning her to death. A crime is a wrong against the
society at large. Each crime committed against an individual depicts the state’s failure to
respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of its subjects. Crimes against women,
especially, highlight the incompetence of the state in fulfilment of the fundamental rights
guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution. Acid attacks are one set of crimes committed
against women which shake the conscience of the society at large while completely
stripping off the victim of her basic human right to life.

Acid attacks involve intentional acts of violence in which bodies, often intending to
permanently disfigure and cause extreme physical and mental suffering to victims. The
trauma of not being able to recognize oneself in the mirror, the agony of lost beauty
worsens the extreme physical pain which the victim is experiencing. Since, in most of the
cases, the attack leaves the victims handicapped, even after recovery from physical pain,
the victims become dependent for everyday activities which act as an additional trauma to
both the family members as well as the victim. Acid attacks perpetuate gender inequality
and discrimination. Acid violence survivors face side-lining from society after the attack.
Additionally, acid violence tends to create fear amongst women in society, as some women
may feel that they might get attacked, if they failed to conform to traditional subordinate
gender roles. In order to free and empower women in the society, it is this fear which the
law is supposed to address. Deterrence by means of strict laws dealing with crimes against
women is one way of addressing the issue. However, prior to 2013, there was no specific
provision in law punishing acid attacks as an offence per se. The amendment in 2013
inserted various sections to the Indian Penal Code, 5 the Criminal Procedure Code and the
Indian Evidence Act in order to tackle the menace of acid attacks. However, not much
change has been witnessed in the incidents of acid attacks.

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Violence against women has become a critical issue of discussion at every platform in recent
world. Despite the existing laws and banning of over counter sale of acid, this horrific crime
has been on the rampant rise in India.

What is Acid Attack?

Acid attack is also called as acid throwing, a Vitriol attack or Vitriolage, is a form of violent
assault defined as throwing acid or a similarly corrosive substance onto the body of
another, with the intention to disfigure, maim, torture or kill. Perpetrators of these attacks
throws corrosive liquid at their victims, usually at their face, burning them and damaging
skin tissue, often exposing and sometimes dissolving the bones. The most common types
of acid used in these attacks are Sulphur and Nitric acid. Hydrochloric acid is sometimes
used but is much less damaging. Aqueous solutions of strong material such as caustic soda
(sodium hydroxide) are used as well particularly in areas where strong acid is controlled
substance.

In South Asia, disputes over land, inheritances, dowries, and declined marriage proposals
often arouse jealousy, which lead to acid violence and women becomes the first victim of
it. Men track down these women, approach them and attack them with acid leaving them
severely scarred. Though the physical injuries may heal after laborious and multiple
operations, the mental injuries remain for life. The victims of acid violence are
overwhelmingly women and children, and attackers often target the head and face in
order to maim, disfigure and blind. The act rarely kills but causes severe physical,
psychological and social scarring, and victims are often left with no legal alternative,
limited access to medical or psychological. Acid attacks are intensely inhuman crimes
because the perpetrators plan to disfigure the victims rather than kill them. Acid is also
easily available and cheap, which is thrown at women. The lives of many women, deprived
of free choice and independence in this way, have been destroyed. Acid violence is the
deliberate use of acid to attack another human being. Acid violence is a world- wide
phenomenon that is not restricted to a particular race, religion or geographical location.
Acid attack is not something unheard of in India, also. It has shocked the conscience of our
nation again and again – with mutilated faces, unbeaten survivors coming to frontline to

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share their horrific stories and families driven bankruptcy supporting recovery. Acid attack
is the worst infliction on other human – leading to complete debilitation loss of income
and opportunity, and even social restoration. The means to this evil remains quite
accessible to most and the causes provoking such cruelty can be unimaginably trivial. What
allows such attacks? Un-counselled anger and frustration is behind the crime as pre-
disposition to sociopathic.

Women in countries around the world live with the threat of acid attacks. Globally, there are
approximately 1,500 acid attacks a year, but it is a crime that often goes unreported for fear
of reprisal. The greatest prevalence is in south Asian countries including India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh, where acid remains inexpensive and freely available.

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Acid Attack Survivors

1. Laxmi Agarwal.

Laxmi, India’s best-known acid attack survivor, was only 15-years-old when a man has
thrown attack on her face in 2005. Laxmi was on her way from her music class when a man
who was twice of her age threw acid on her for rejecting his advances. The incident led her
face and other body parts disfigured. Although she received treatment on time, in a span of
10 years, she went through many surgeries, which almost affected her mental health. But
with her courage and determination, Laxmi took up life’s challenge and manage to stand
back on her feet. She's now working to bring stricter laws on the sale of acid in India; she's
also been supporting thousands of acid attack survivors. Deepika Padukone's upcoming
movie Chhapaak is based on Laxmi's life.

2. Pragya Singh.

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Pragya Singh is an acid-attack survivor. She was just 23 when a man threw acid on her, just
12 days after her wedding. A man whose marriage proposal she had rejected threw acid on
her face when she was traveling alone on a train. She lost sight in one eye and underwent
15 surgeries. But with an inherent optimistic attitude towards life that surprised even her
doctors, Pragya didn't let that incident shatter her confidence. She didn’t stop dreaming or
let any hurdles come in the way of her indomitable spirit.

Today, she is a social worker who runs an NGO named Atijeevan Foundation, which arranges
surgeries/treatments for free for acid attack and burn survivors. She has become a guardian
angel for hundreds of acid attack survivors across India, and envisions a future where
society will gracefully accept them with compassion.

3. Anmol Rodriguez

Anmol Rodriguez was just two-months-old when her father threw acid at her while she was
being breastfed by her mother. Her father didn’t want a baby girl, and once he had attacked

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them with acid, he left them both to die. Fortunately, neighbours came to their rescue and
rushed them to a hospital. While Anmol was left with a disfigured face and was blinded in
one eye, her mother succumbed to her injuries.

Anmol spent the next five years healing and trying to understand why she looked so
different from other children. She was finally handed over to Shree Manav Seva Sangh, a
shelter home for orphans in Mumbai. Initially, Anmol couldn’t make any friends because the
other kids were scared of her, but eventually as she grew older, she befriended many of the
children in the shelter home.

Despite everything that happened in Anmol’s life, she never gave up her positive, hopeful
spirit. She founded the Acid Survivor Sahas Foundation, a non-profit organisation, to help
other acid attack survivors to live a better life. The young fighter loves fashion and has a
fabulous sense of style. This quality helped her get through college, and now she wants to
become a model and spread awareness about acid attacks. She believes, "Acid can only
change our face but not ruin our soul. We are the same inside out and we should accept
ourselves for who we are and live our lives happily.

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Need for the study

Acid attack is a worldwide problem affecting all irrespective of age, caste, and religion. It is
the most heinous form of gender-based violence against women. Perpetrator’s aim is not to
kill the victim but to leave her in a pathetic condition. Injuries on the body heal and leave
scars not only on the body but also physically and psychologically the whole personality of
the survivor aff ected.
Violence against women has become a critical issue of discussion at every platform in recent
world. Despite the existing laws and banning of over counter sale of acid, this horrific crime
has been on the rampant rise in India.
Compared to women throughout the world, women in India are at higher risk of being victims of acid
attacks, 72% of reported acid attacks in India have involved women. In India, about 350 cases are
legally reported per year, while separate research conducted by an organization Acid Survivors
Foundation India, estimated approximately 500–1000 cases per year in India, excluding
unreported incidents.
This project aims to study the cause and consequences of acid attack, also learn about
government initiative and schemes that help acid attack victim and based on the findings make
recommendation to help prevent abusive situation in future.

Objectives
1) To study the cause and effects of acid attack on women
2) To study about the government initiatives and schemes that help acid attack victim

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 3) To make recommendation based on the research to help prevent abusive situation in
future.

Literature Review
Acid attack is a global phenomenon that is not restricted to a particular age, caste, religion,
gender, or geographical location. Acid attacks are form of gender-based violence aimed at
silencing and controlling women. Their use as a weapon against women who refuse sexual
or other advances is on the rise in India. The use of acid as a weapon began to rise in many
developing nations, specifically in South Asia. Since acid can be easily purchased in these
countries and is relatively cheap as compared to weapons like guns, it was a preferred
weapon. The first recorded acid attack occurred in India in 1982. Since then, research has
witnessed an increase in the amount and severity of acid attacks in the region. In many
countries’ acid attacks constitute a hidden form of violence against women and children
that often go unreported and the true number of horrific attacks taking place has only come
to light after in-depth research. Acid attacks have a catastrophic impact on the lives of the
victims physically, psychologically and financially. Victims usually do not die the aim of
nearly all acid attacks is not to kill but to injure and disfigure (Finley, 2013). The importance
of women’s physical beauty as a means to social acceptance cannot be overstated. Reports
of acid attacks as a means of retaliation by rejected suitors demonstrate the importance of
physical beauty in women’s acceptance (Andrea Parrot, et.al. 2006). India introduced
amendment to the Indian Penal Code through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013;
making acid attacks a specific offence (Government of India, 2013). Acid Survivors
Foundation (2011), Acid Survivor’s foundation Uganda was first established in 2013. It is a
registered non-government organization acid violence is a significant crime in Uganda, with
devastating consequence for victims, their families and society acid violence rarely kill, but it
almost always leaves victim, with sure physical, psychological and social scaring and leads to

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social stigmatization. Attackers usually target the head and face in order to main disfigure
and blind. This report has shown that tacking the problem of acid violence requires a holistic
approach with co-ordination across a range of area and agencies. Nalsa (2016) [legal
services to victims of acid attacks] scheme. This report has shown that the incidents of acid
attacks in India have been on the rise. As per the data maintained by National Crime records
Berecs the number of incidents of acid attacks reported in 2011 were 83, 85 in 2012 and 66
in 2013 though according to the acid survivors foundation India (ASFl) at least 106 such
attacks have reported 2012, 122 in 12 2013 and 309 in 2014 and according to the activities,
the figure rose to 500 in 2015 and National crime records Bureau, 222 cases of acid attacks,
here reported in 2015. The acid attack is not a new concept but this area was largely
unexplored by the researchers and the rises in such brutal incidents are a cause of concern.

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Research Methodology

The Methodology used for the study involves the collection of secondary data

Research Design: Descriptive

Secondary Data: Research Papers & Online information

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Data Analysis

Cause and Effects of Acid Attack

The most notable effects of an acid attack are the lifelong bodily disfigurement. There is a
high survival rate amongst victims of acid attacks. Consequently, the victim is faced with
physical challenges, which require long term surgical treatment, as well as psychological
challenges, which require in-depth intervention from psychologists and counsellors at each
stage of physical recovery. These far-reaching effects on their lives impact their
psychological, social and economic viability in communities. Acid has a devastating effect
on the human body, often permanently blinding the victim. The aftermath being the
inability to do many everyday tasks such as working and even mothering is rendered
extremely difficult if not impossible. According to the Acid Survivors Foundation there is a
high survival rate amongst victims of acid attacks. Consequently, the victim is faced with
physical challenges, which require long term surgical treatment, as well as psychological
challenges, which require in-depth intervention from psychologists and counsellors at each
stage of physical recovery. The victims are often left with no legal recourse, limited access
to medical or psychological assistance, and have no means to support themselves. The acid
attack has long-lasting medical, psychological, physical, social and economic effect.

1. Medical: The medical effects of acid attacks are extensive. As a majority of acid
attacks are aimed at the face. Severity of the damage depends on the
concentration of the acid and the period of time before the acid is thoroughly
washed off with water or neutralizing agent. The acid can rapidly eat away skin,
the layer of fat beneath the skin, and in some cases even the underlying bone.

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 Eyelids and lips may be completely destroyed, the nose and ears severely
damaged. Acid attack victims also face the possibility of septicaemia, renal failure,
skin depigmentation, and even death.

2. Psychological Effects: It includes sympathetic behaviour of family, ignorance of

children and taunting behaviour of relatives. The victim is mentally disturbed and
they try to reduce their stress through weeping and shouting on others. Other
psychological effects like eternal trauma, social isolation and suicide plan were
also possible. While other belongings like fear, threatening and frustration are very
high. It is said that acid attacks adversely impact all aspects of the survivors‟ lives.
The psychological consequences are severe in many instances rendering the
survivors mentally retard and eternally shocked. Acid assault survivors face many
mental health issues upon recovery. Acid attack victims reported higher levels of
anxiety, depression, due to their appearance. Additionally, the women reported
lowered self-esteem and increased self-consciousness, both in general and in the
social sphere.

3. Physical - Acid eats through two layers of the skin, i.e. the fat and muscle
underneath, and sometimes not only eats through to the bone but even dissolve
the bone. The deepness of injury totally depends on the strength of the acid and
the duration of its contact with the skin. When thrown on a person’s face, acid
rapidly eats into eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Eyelids and lips may burn off
completely. The nose sometimes melts, closing the nostrils, and ears shrivel up.
Acid can quickly destroy the eyes, blinding the victim. Skin and bone on the skull,
forehead, cheeks and chin may dissolve. When the acid splashes or drips over the
neck, chest, back, arms or legs, it burns everywhere it touches. The biggest
immediate danger for victims is breathing failure. Inhalation of acid vapours can
create breathing problems in two ways:

i) By causing a poisonous reaction in the lungs.

ii) swelling the neck, which constricts the airway and strangles the victim.
When the burns from an acid attack heal, they form thick scars which pull the skin very
tight and can cause disfigurements. For instance, eyelids may no longer close, the mouth
may no longer open; and the chin becomes welded to the chest.

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 4. Social and Economic effect – Many social implications exist for acid survivors,
especially women. Such attacks usually leave victims handicapped in some way,
rendering them dependent on either their spouse or family for everyday activities,
such as eating and running errands. These dependencies are increased by the fact
that many acid survivors are not able to find suitable work, due to impaired vision
and physical handicapped. As a result, divorce, abandonment by husbands is
common in the society. Moreover, acid survivors who are single when attacked
almost certainly become ostracized from society, effectively ruining marriage
prospects. Acid attacks usually leave victims handicapped in some way, rendering
them dependent on either their spouse or family for everyday activities, such as
eating and running errands. They face a lifetime of discrimination from society and
they become lonely. These dependencies are increased by the fact that many acid
survivors are not able to find suitable work, due to impaired vision and physical
handicapped. As a result, divorce, abandonment by husbands is common in the
society. Moreover, acid survivors who are single when attacked almost certainly
become ostracized from society, effectively ruining marriage prospects. They are
embarrassed that people may stare or laugh at them and may hesitate to leave
their homes fearing an adverse reaction from the outside world. Victims who were
not married are not likely to get married and those victims who have got serious
disabilities because of an attack, like blindness, will not find jobs and earn a living.
Discrimination from other people, or disabilities such as blindness, makes it very
difficult for victims to fend for themselves and they become dependent on others
for food and money.

Factors Responsible for Acid Attack

The intention of attackers is often to humiliate rather than to kill the victim. The most
common motivations of perpetrators are personal conflict regarding intimate relationships
and sexual rejection, gender discrimination, sexual related jealousy and lust, social &
political motivation, rivalry, and conflict over land ownership, housing and property,
revenge for refusal of sexual advances, proposal of marriage and demand for dowry.
Gender inequality and women’s position in the society, in relation to men is another cause
to such type of attacks. The Law Commission of India in its 226th report has asserted that

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the majority of acid attack victims are women particularly young women for spurning
suitors, for rejecting proposals of marriage, for denying dowry etc. The attacker cannot
bear the fact that he has been rejected and seeks to destroy the body of the woman who
has dared to stand up to him. A renowned academician Afroza Anwary in his study
emphasized that how acid is used by men on women as a mark of their masculinity and
superiority over them and to “keep women in their place, “Acid attacks are used as a
weapon to silence and control women by destroying what is constructed as the primary
constituent of her identity.” Anwary in his study had further maintained that in a
patriarchal and conservative societies, overemphasis is laid on marriage of a girl.

Her virginity and fair complexion are the most important factors to be considered for her
suitability in the marriage market and therefore, her involvement in a romantic
relationship prior to her marriage is an anathema. When vindictive lovers are turned down
for marriage by the girl or her family, they resort to acid attack for vengeance. There is also
an economic aspect to acid attacks in view of globalization. The financial independence of
women in a society of unemployed men creates antagonism in them. “Deteriorating
economic conditions, high unemployment rates among male bread-winners, the increasing
number of landless households, and the lack of agricultural work for male laborer’s are the
major reasons for their resentment. Thus, women who are burdened with the onus of
earning for the family are often made victim of acid by their husbands when they fail to
live up to their expectations as homemakers in their conventional gender roles. Property
disputes are another cause for acid attacks on women. The motivation for acid attacks on
women can be attributed to various factors and feelings. Some perpetrators use acid to
defile and debase the victim’s body as an expression of conscious anger, in an attempt to
debase them. Others feed their deep-seated feelings of incapability and insecurity by
expressing their superiority and authority by throwing acid on women, in an effort to
exhibit heir everlasting control over the woman’s fate. Alternatively, it can be said that acid
attacks are used by men as a medium to establish their superiority and control over them
and to keep them always in a state of fear.

Legislation in India

In India, often incidences of acid attacks grab the headlines of Indian media. Unfortunately,

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there was no separate legislation to deal with acid attacks before the passing of The
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. 2013. The offence was registered under Sections 320,
322,325, 326 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code (I.P.C).

On 2nd April 2013 the Indian Penal Code was amended with the passing of „The Criminal
Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. The amendment resulted in insertion of Sections 326A and
326B specifically for dealing with acid violence.

Section 326 A states – Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or
burns or maims or disfigures or disables, any part or parts of the body of a person or
causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by
using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely
to cause such injury or hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for
a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for
life, and with fine. Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical
expenses of the treatment of the victim. Provided further that any fine imposed under this
section shall be paid to the victim.

Section 326 B states – Whoever throws or attempts to throw acid on any person or
attempts to administer acid to any person, or attempts to use any other means, with the
intention of causing permanent or partial damage or deformity or burns or maiming or
disfigurement or disability or grievous hurt to that person, shall be punished with
imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than five years but
which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Government Schemes and Initiatives for Acid Attack Victims

Supreme Court of India has directed to States to pay Rs. 3 lakh compensation to acid attack
victim and Rs.1 lakh to be paid within 15 days of incident.

Photo ID card with residential address is a must for acid buyer. Seller will need a license
and will have to keep record of sales. Acid will not to be sold to minors. Illegal sale and

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purchase of acid is to be a non-bailable offence. Undisclosed stock to be confiscated, seller
will be fined Rs. 50,000.

The latest ordinance amending certain sections of the Indian Penal Code also included
identifying acid attacks as a standalone criminal offence.

Under the new provision a person shall be punished with life imprisonment if found guilty
of acid attack. The minimum sentence of 10 years and fine of Rs. 10 lakhs have also been
prescribed in the amendment.

Ministry of Home Affairs issued an advisory dated 30th August, 2013 on measures to be
taken to prevent acid attacks on people and for treatment and rehabilitation of survivors.
In the said advisory, the State govt, UT’s wherein the rules to regulate sale of
acid/corrosive substances were not operational, actions to regulate the existing sales
through wide publicity in the media including local language were directed to be taken
immediately. The directions included:

 Banning over the counter sale of acid/corrosives unless the seller maintains a
logbook/register recording the sale of acid with the details of the buyer and the
quantity of the acid being sold.
 Sale only to persons above 18 years of age on production of valid Photo ID proof.
 Recording the reason/purpose for procuring acid in the logbook by the seller.
 Declaration of all stocks of acid by the seller with the concerned Sub-Divisional
Magistrate (SDM) within 15 days. In case of undeclared stock of acid, the
concerned SDM can confiscate the stock and suitably impose a fine up to Rs.
50,000/- on such seller. Imposition of a fine up to Rs.50, 000/- on any person who
commits breach of any of the above directions by the concerned SDM
1. Educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, Government Departments
and the departments of Public Sector Undertakings, who are required to keep and
store acid/corrosive, shall also maintain a register of usage of acid and the same
shall be filed with the concerned SDM.
2. Identifying a person to be made accountable for the possession and safe keeping of
acid in their premises. The acid shall be stored under the supervision of such
person whose responsibility shall be to compulsory check students/ personnel

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 leaving the laboratories/place of storage, where acid is used.

3. According to the Supreme Court, in case of disfigurement of face, a victim of acid

attack would get a compensation of between Rs 700,000 and Rs 800,000. If the
injury is more than 50 per cent, the minimum compensation would be Rs 500,000,
while in case of rape and unnatural sexual assault, the victim would get a minimum
of Rs 400,000 and maximum of Rs700,000. However, the court made it clear that
state governments would be free to add more compensation over the minimum
stipulated in the scheme.

4. In case of acid attack victims, the Supreme Court had asked the government to
identify this as a disability and reserve jobs. The Government has for the first time
opened up government jobs for people with mental illness, learning and
intellectual disability and autism as well as victims of acid attacks. Over two years
after the enactment of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act in April 2017, the
reservation in government jobs and educational institutions is raised from 3% to 4%
and the number of benchmark disabilities from 7 to 21, central ministries have
finally identified positions for the differently abled under the new rules.

5. According to the government the victims of acid attacks and thermal burn injuries
will get cashless treatment. As per the guidelines, survivors will have the facility to
get medical checkup done free of cost.

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NGO for Acid Attack Victims

Chhanv Foundation

Chhanv Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization in India working for the rehabilitation of

acid attack survivors. Chhanv Foundation raised the unheard voices of acid attack survivors
through its campaign Stop Acid Attacks in 2013. They redefined the definition of
rehabilitation by advocacy for the acid attacks followed by providing Medical Assistance,
Legal Assistance, Education help then at last but not least by providing the Employment at
Cafe Sher. The organization is founded by Mr. Alok Dixit, a prominent Social Activist &
headed by him as Counselling Director and Mr. Ashish Shukla as Executive Director. Alok
Dixit and Ashish Shukla started the Stop Acid Attacks campaign in 2013, in an attempt to
spread awareness, advocacy and also demand from the government proper treatment of
the victims. Due to Laxmi Agarwal’s writ petition of 2006, the Supreme Court passed
orders in 2013 announcing the regulation of the sale of acid, compensation for the victims
and recognition of acid violence as a separate offence. However, little has happened in

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terms of execution. Since acid is still available over the counter, the compensation is not
always given on time and there are many cases that go unrecorded. At Chhanv, in over 30
percent cases, no charges have been filed against the assaulter.
After the campaign, the team felt that it wasn’t bringing results in terms of helping the
victims; with an option to dilute it or take it forward, they decided to build an organization
around it. Since the survivors kept joining, they felt encouraged to take the cause forward.
At Chhanv, survivors can expect financial assistance with their treatment, counseling, after
care and help with finding a job. Chhanv also helps survivors collect funds for education
and anything else that they would like to pursue. Currently Chhanv is helping set up a
boutique for survivors interested in designing clothes. It is also helping them pursue their
career. Chhanv is in contact with over 100 victims today, but there are many more out
there needing assistance.
Many survivors, as Alok explains, accept the tragedy as their hapless fate. “What is working
for them is that when a survivor comes to Chhanv, they meet other survivors, which gives
them hope,” he adds. According to him, getting employment is one of the biggest sources
of happiness for the survivors. Parents of some victims don’t let them go out in search of
jobs, and hence the cycle of misery continues. Keeping this in mind Chhanv opened the
first branch of Sheroes café in Agra in 2014; two more branches have opened in Udaipur
and Lucknow where 30 survivors are currently employed. Chhanv also looks for
opportunities outside Sheroes, which is also not an easy task since most survivors are not
educated. Chhanv frequently organizes workshops, where survivors can take part at will
and work towards developing a skill. One such effort is the collaboration with Vikas
Milani’s Body canvas, where survivors can learn the art of tattooing.
Other problems that Chhanv is trying to address are the feeling of isolation faced by the
survivors and their agony exacerbated by the lack of justice – both impeding their
rehabilitation

Make Love No Scars

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Make Love Not Scars, a Delhi-based NGO, which helps in the rehabilitation of acid attack
survivors. The organization is founded by Ms. Ria Sharma, (Founder & President) and Ms.
Tania Singh (CEO). Make Love Not Scars is on a mission to obtain justice and provide
support for acid attack survivors through intervention and rehabilitation. It has helped and
reached out to around 60 survivors across the country. They have connections with other
NGO's, hospitals, lawyers, and police stations and if any of them come across a new case,
they recommend us to the survivor,” says Tania Singh, one of the core team members of the
organization.

The organization provides survivors with art therapy such as dance and yoga to ease
emotional distress, provide a support system of survivors where they can reach out to each
other and guide each other on the recovery and legal processes involved in the aftermath of
the attack. The team also provides them with skill training such as English and basic math to
help them get jobs and set up collaborations with entrepreneurs in order to train the girls to
work independently and gain some financial independence. We also help connect them with
the right legal aid and provide them with all medical help ranging from surgeries to post-
operative care,” says Tania. The organization has run various campaigns for financial
assistance, medical assistance, and procuring employment for the survivors. The money
raised will be used for any necessary medical treatments, legal fees, counselling support,
and educational needs of the survivors. The centre, which currently has 15–20 survivors, will
be welcoming all acid attack survivors across the country.

Make Love Not Scars is also running an ongoing petition to urge the government to ban the
sale of acid in India. “We are currently working on helping the survivors to fulfil their
dreams. We've launched a job portal for acid-attack survivors under our latest campaign

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#SkillsNotScars. People can browse through our website, go through the survivor's resumes
and contact us to set up interviews. We will be focusing on the Skills Not Scars campaign for
the next few months until all the interested survivors are hired,” says Tania.

Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation

Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation (ASSF) was an initiative that was started in 2016 by Mrs
Daulat Bi Khan. She herself was the casualty of acid attack in 2010. This attack was executed
by her own elder sister and her husband and son due to some property disagreement.
When she recovered a bit, she stated to look out for job, but everything was a
disappointment. People use to shut down their doors right in front of her disoriented face
and pledge her to stay away from them. She was in the path of two diversions at that point
of time. One was to get over with her life another one was to have new lease of life. She
chose the latter one and channelized all her energy together with a pursuit of having a new
hope in life (new hope new life).

Thus, the foundation was established, which helped in performing major surgeries on other
victims and providing them with basic human needs. In this journey so far, this initiative also
helped many victims to live a normal lifestyle by arranging marriages for many of her victims
such as Lalita and Kamal. A great support in this noble cause was provided by ample mission
owner Dr. Aneel Murarka.

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They are not only organization but also a family for all the acid attack victims and wish to do
the best for them.

 President meeting the victims personally

The president personally meets the acid attack victim as soon as their team knows
about an acid attack case.
 Medical help and care
They personally make sure that every acid attack victim is provided the right
treatment and take care of each one of them like a family member.
 Legal support
We also support our victims in their legal battle to get justice by providing them
advocates free of cost and attending their court hearings.
 Financial helps
They understand that the victim have financial needs as well so they take care of
their monthly financial needs along with providing them subsidiaries.

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Findings
 Acid attack often occur as revenge against a woman who rejects a proposal of
marriage or a sexual advance. Such attacks are common in societies where there is a
high level of gender inequality and women occupy a subordinate position in relation
to men.
 The other causes for of acid attack are conflicts related to dowry, land and property,
religion matter and family related dispute.
 The most common types of acid used in acid attacks are Sulphuric and Nitric acid.
Hydrochloric acid is sometimes used but is much less damaging. Aqueous solutions
of strong material such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) are used as well
particularly in areas where strong acid is controlled substance.
 The effects of acid are that it causes excruciating pain and permanent disfigurement
of the victim, often causing blindness, hearing loss, skin and tissue damage
depending on the type of acid and span of the skin’s exposure to the acid.
 The government has taken good initiative in supporting acid attack victims by making
strict rules and regulation with respect to buying and selling of acid. Also
implementing provision in law in punishing the attackers for such a heinous offence.
 The government has also taken initiatives for the welfare of acid attack victims by
providing compensation to the victim, free medical check-up, government
employment opportunity, education and counselling sessions.

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  There are a few well-known NGO ‘s that help the acid attack victims by providing
financial assistance, medical assistance, and help in procuring employment for the
survivors.

Suggestions
1. The government must create awareness about acid attack and encourage the society
to be supportive towards the victims and not reject and shun them.
2. The government should ban the sale of acid or should have stricter controls on the
sale and purchase of acid.
3. Counselling sessions should be conducted not only for the victim but also for the
attacker in order to avoid such incidents.
4. Education system of India should be modified and it should include one subject with
regards to violence against women in India which includes various crime done
against women, their common reasons, preventions from them etc. so that our
youth will be well informed about such things and our future developing society’s
thinking can be a little different from the existing one.
5. School and College student can promote awareness on acid attack through street
plays, by organizing campaigns
6. Companies can also support acid attack by collecting funds through workshops,
marathons and other camps.

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Conclusion

Acid attack is widespread and prevalent in our society that remains often invisible. Women
are unsafe and are frequently victim even in their homes and often by their immediate
family members. Women are vulnerable in every form of violence. I conclude that acid
attack is present in society, which has been reported in different appearances like history of
burning, psychological effects as well as such isolation. Refusal of marriage proposal, sexual
favour dowry and family disputes are one of the major causes of acid attack attacks
practiced against women. This present study uncovered that our society is lacking of sense
of belongingness which often results in insecurity and unstable environment. That is why
women of our society are much suppressed.

The success of any law is determined by its implementation. Most stringent of laws will be
of no avail if they are not properly implemented. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013
has brought positive changes in the laws against acid violence. Prior to the Act, no
provision of strict punishment was there to punish the culprits and either no or a
compensation of a very meagre amount was used to be given to the victim. The
amendment made special laws to punish the culprits and also provided for the provision of
providing medical aid to the victim. But, framing of laws is never enough unless it is
properly executed. The Indian Judicial System is overloaded with cases. It takes years for
the trial to take place. In addition to this, lawyers try to delay the prosecution of the
accused by requesting the Court to extend the date of trial. As a result of this, case remains

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pending for years and the criminal is not punished for his acts for years in spite of the
stringent laws. It is pertinent to note here that in the absence of expeditious investigation
and trial of the acid attack cases, it is only the quantum of punishment which can be of
deterrence.

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