Written by: Sinja Ghimire - 21125, Grade XII
Posted on: 03 August, 2020
My face burns. I can’t breathe. I feel like a tyre’s burning and it stinks. She cried for help. She was just a 14-year-old girl. She was thrown acid in her face. She hadn’t even begun her life. Her mistake was to ignore a man twice her age. Yes, you read it correctly “twice her age”.
Today many cases of acid attack are reported in many parts of the world especially in developing countries. Out of all attacks, 80% are females and the remaining are male. The country like Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia has the highest number of cases. The acid attack causes various health and mental issues. Some long term problems are blindness, burning of eyes, and some permanent scar on the face. Between 1999 and 2013, a total of 3,512 Bangladeshi people were acid attacked with the rate of cases declining by 15%-20% every year since 2002 based on strict legislation against perpetrators and regulation of acid sales In India, acid attacks are at an all-time high and increasing every year with 250-300 reported incidents every year while the "actual number could exceed 1,000, according to Acid Survivors' Trust International".The UK has one of the highest rates of acid attacks per capita in the world.
The most common reasons for attacks on women and girls is the refusal of marriage, the denial of sex, and the sexual rejection of men and boys. Some other causes include hate towards the opposing gender, some past revenge, etc. So, the most frequently asked question is “is there any treatment?”.The most important thing a person can do in the event of an acid attack is to douse the victim in running water, rather than use a wet cloth. The water dilutes the acid, and so it's important to keep refreshing with new, clean water, as quickly as possible. Victims should go through multiple surgeries as a part of the treatment. Some surgeries are not even affordable for the middle class and lower-class families.
On August 17, 2018, the government passed the bill for acid attackers. Section 193 of the bill states, “If a person throws acid at a person or uses any chemical substance to attack a person in a manner to cause serious harm or disfigure the victim, the perpetrator shall be awarded five to eight years in jail depending on the gravity of the offense and fined Rs 100,000 to Rs 300,000. The fine imposed on the perpetrator shall be provided to the survivor.” In case of the death of the victim in such an attack, the perpetrator will face murder charges.
Acid attacks can be prevented when there are strict laws made by the government on the sale of acid and fine charges for people buying and selling acids.
(Reference: The Himalayan Times and Wikipedia)
