India's rape crisis deepens: 86 cases a day, low convictions, and rising public outrage

India continues to battle a persistent rape crisis, with high incident rates, low convictions, and growing public frustration despite significant legal changes and social awareness campaigns.

- Pari Tikkiwal

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 31,677 rape cases in 2021 and 31,516 in 2022, which has not changed for any better with an average of 86 reported rapes per day. Shockingly, 89% of victims knew their assailants, indicating a deep rooted cultural and institutional breakdown.

International comparisons paint a grim picture. India ranks fourth globally in crimes against women, underscoring the epidemic's scale, even as the country portrays low per capita rates in some perspectives. Experts stress that legal reforms without robust enforcement and societal shift remain inadequate.