Trauma can be defined as a disturbing experience according to Google Definitions. However, there are no words to define exactly what trauma is. Trauma can mean many different things to people as they go through their experiences. In regards to health, trauma can cause a person to be diagnosed with a mental health problem. Although, there is research on how trauma can inflict someone to go through mental health disease, there are so many other factors that play a part in trauma such as sexual assault, domestic violence, death, and many other things.
Violence in India is at an all-time high. Sexual assault in India against women is one of the most committed crimes. In 2016, a total of 22,205 rape cases from adult women victims were reported (National Crime Records Bureau). The National Family Health Survey shows around 99.1% of rape cases go unreported (livemint). A lot of women in India experience rape and gang rape from someone they know. There’s not much research as to why women are sexually assaulted. But from looking at the laws and the societal structure of India, I’ve concluded that since India has a patriarchy system, this could be one of the factors as to why there is a high sexual assault rate. Patriarchy is a social organization where a father is a lead figure in the family or a male-dominated society where they use their manpower to control and authorize a family or social organization (Cambridge Dictionary). Because of this males may think they have the power to do as they please and feel like they can get away with it. India’s justice system they don’t enforce their laws as they should, not to mention, at times there is a long process when it comes to convicting the person who committed the crime. I feel like this is one of the reasons as to why a lot of women don’t report about them being raped. In addition, women go through humiliation from the family and community when they are raped. It is considered a disgrace and shameful. So some women are taunted and ridiculed by their family and the community. In an article, I read that two women were forced to shave their heads because they refused to be raped by two men (BBC News). Although the men were arrested for trying to commit rape, they weren’t charged for forcibly shaving the heads of the women. It was seen as being okay for the mean to humiliate the women because of the patriarchy system in India. Other times, women are stoned to death and sometimes commit suicide (known as dowry deaths) to escape from their trauma.
The World Health Organization Representative of India, Dr. Nata Menabde, seems to have created reforms and resources for sexually assaulted victims, mainly women and girls (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India). There is a legal medical examination for sexually assaulted victims. Outside of that, there is not much research on India’s health system when it comes to examining sexual assault cases and protecting the women. Culturally, women in India protest about rape and sexual assault to raise awareness and change the laws but it seems to be complex and not possible when it comes to reframing trauma as a medical issue. However, in the United States, I feel like it is more common and easy to do so because of how our justice and medical system is set up.
In order to change this is in India, there need to be laws made to lessen the patriarchy system in India as well as more strict laws when it comes to sexual assault and rape. More facilities need to be created to offer help and resources for sexual assault victims such as counseling, rape contraceptives that protect women (I know in some countries in Africa they have a female condom with sharp ends to protect women from the attacker), and a safe place for victims that provides support and shelter. With these changes, women will have a stronger platform to share their voice and experiences. Creating more awareness and immediate changes from the government. This will also allow victims to be medically diagnosed with any mental health and/or problems from their trauma.
References
National Crime Records Bureau. “Women & Girls Victims of Rape under Different Age-Groups – 2016.” India.
Bhattacharya, Pramit, and Tadit Kundu. “99% Cases of Sexual Assaults Go Unreported, Govt Data Shows.” Https://Www.livemint.com, 24 Apr. 2018, www.livemint.com/Politics/AV3sIKoEBAGZozALMX8THK/99-cases-of-sexual-assaults-go-unreported-govt-data-shows.html.
“Guideline and Protocols Medico-Legal Care for Survivors/Victims of Sexual Violence.” Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India, mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/953522324.pdf.
“India Arrests after Women’s Heads Shaved for Resisting Rape.” BBC News, BBC, 28 June 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48783253.
Nieder, C., Muck, C., & Kärtner, J. (2019). Sexual Violence Against Women in India: Daily Life and Coping Strategies of Young Women in Delhi. Violence Against Women. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801218824056
Pandey, Geeta. “India Arrests after Women’s Heads Shaved for Resisting Rape.” BBC News, BBC, 28 June 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48783253.
“PATRIARCHY: Definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary.” PATRIARCHY | Definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/patriarchy.
Hi Lauren!
It is truly devastating to see this kind of situation happened to women around the world. You mentioned in your blog post that there will be a long process for the victims when it comes to convicting the person who committed the crime which is upsetting. I am wondering if the health care professionals or the authorities in India are knowledgeable and know the right way to respond to women who complained about any kind of violence? Because I personally think that this might be another reason on the underreported cases of violence against women. According to a study by Gracia, health professionals rarely check for signs of violence or ask women about experiences of abuse, even though most women favor routine questioning by their practitioners about domestic violence. Dr. Sperlich also talked about this issue when she mentioned that we are lacking in trauma specific interventions among that are readily available for the health care providers to help people out.
https://jech.bmj.com/content/jech/58/7/536.full.pdf
Lauren,
In Lecture 4.1, Dr. Sperlich discusses the need for training future health care professionals in how to sensitively ask about the history of trauma and how to better assist patients without retriggering that trauma. I think this is an important step in challenging our current understanding of health, illness, and medicine, which is a different point of view than what I wrote about in my blog post. Your post enlightened me on the lack of mental illness education. A physical health problem or illness is oftentimes easier to address, and predict a solution for, than a mental health problem and illness. Trauma can be experienced both physically and mentally. The topic of mental and emotional trauma can become uncomfortable to talk about, especially without proper empathy training, and if this is the case, seeking any kind of medical attention for intangible traumas could potentially evoke more harm than help. Looking back at the blog post prompt for this week, do you think the women of India experience intergenerational trauma? If so, do you think current health care professionals in India know how to address those traumas? If not, what could they do in order to change this?
Hi Lauren!
Those statistics on rape in India are infuriating. It is so hard to hear that and know there is little that I can do to help. I think the reason it is so hard to define trauma is because it is more of how a situation made you feel. Do you think it is possible to take down the patriarchy? Do you think that is where it needs to start? I would suspect that a feminist movement in India could do wonders. What makes me sad though, is knowing how much the United States has worked to make men and women equal and how far India is from that. This issue isn’t an easy fix and will take a lot of time. Those women deserve for someone to stand up for them. I also wonder if the United Nations should step in to help. Perhaps forcing India to create laws and consequences for this situation?
Hi Lauren!
This weeks topic was so devastating to write about. I found it very interesting to learn about violence and sexual assault in India. I think America is very similar to India when we talk about the Patriarchy system. Men seem to believe they hold power over women which makes them fearless in situations like this. They believe they can do anything without repercussion. Which is so scary, and the mindset of a society like this must be changed to protect victims. And is less developed countries like India, the legal system is not always great at inforcing their laws or protecting their people with their laws. I also agree that we need more counseling options available in these countries. Women don’t only deserve justice, but they deserve help for the trauma they have to deal with for the rest of their lives. It makes me wonder what is the best possible solution to fix all these problems? Is there really a way to change peoples mindsets?
Part of the issue right now with sexual assault and rape rates being so high right now has a lot to do with the current government. The current government is trying to assert Hindu nationalism, cultural values, and traditional family values. This has led to a lot of predators feeling empowered, and has caused an increase in attacks. There was already a lot of violence against women prior, but the current state of affairs has just made the problem worse.