Brutal killing of 11-year-old highlights India's persistent sexual violence crisis

An 11-year-old girl in eastern India was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a gang of men, her body later found in a pond. This horrific incident underscores the pervasive sexual violence endemic across India, where over 80 rapes are reported daily, though many more go unreported due to societal stigma. Deep-seated patriarchy, understaffed police, and judicial delays contribute to a culture of impunity, activists say. Despite economic progress and legal reforms enacted after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, the country's record on sexual violence remains unchanged. The victim's father expressed profound grief, while locals helped investigate her disappearance. The incident puts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, recently in power in West Bengal, under scrutiny, as women's safety was a key election promise. However, activists argue that governmental changes alone cannot address the root causes of misogyny, patriarchy, and caste-related violence. Sexual offenses against children have risen sharply, with cases under the POCSO Act reaching a record high. Recent cases in Rajasthan and Ghaziabad involving young girls further illustrate the ongoing crisis. Experts emphasize the need for sustained community-level efforts to change behavior and for gender-progressive police and judicial personnel. The government's target for fast-track special courts for sexual crimes has not been met, with significantly fewer courts established than projected. While authorities acknowledge administrative and policing gaps, the family of the Baruipur victim believes a quicker police response could have saved her. Public anger over slow justice has also led to support for extrajudicial killings, with one suspect in the Baruipur case reportedly killed in an "encounter," a practice criticized by rights activists as bypassing due process and empowering arbitrary state power.