"IDEAL VICTIM"

The world's judges, lawyers, victims, rapists and the public are all in one society, The male-dominated society. There may not be a protocol written in the law, but examples show that there is a code of patriarchal beliefs that in rape cases, and gendered stereotypes define the image of the victim.

WHO IS THE IDEAL RAPE VICTIM?

Visibly distressed victim

A rape victim is supposed to be broken, devastated, and ‘destroyed’ to be trustworthy – a notion deeply entrenched in Indian society. This is fed in the idea that rape is a fate worse than death, not because it invalidates bodily autonomy but because it robs the Indian woman of her “most valued possession and treasure ”, i.e. her “virginity”

The "good woman"

As I mentioned in my earlier "bias of good woman" blog, a perfect and accepting good woman is a female who doesn't drink, hasn't had sex or does anything she desires for by her mentality and not the society's stigma. “It is the prime responsibility of the woman in the relationship or even otherwise to protect her honour, dignity and modesty. A woman should not throw herself to a man and indulge in looseness. It is for her to maintain her purity, integrity and virtues.”

A woman in a relationship whether sexual or romantic is of a "bad character" and is often judged by her appearance or decisions. In conclusion, Indian society believes women shall give up everything and stay at home, feeding the ego of their family and crying themselves to sleep.

The modern woman

Since ‘modern’ women differ from traditional gender norms and are likely to be more independent, they are less likely to excite pity or sympathy. Consequently, they are likely to be treated with greater suspicion and less respect. The choice of clothes of a person tells society if the woman is fair enough to be raped or taken advantage of. Wearing crop tops is a big Hubba-bubba in India, look at it this way. The Indian aunties wearing sarees that show your stomach too aren't judged. But the teenagers, young adults, or a woman of any age wearing a crop top, "excites" the males and causes a distraction.

In conclusion here, die of heat, because men wearing a vest or being shirtless is fine to society because they feel "hot" or "garmi", while women are majestic creatures that have no right to emotions, clothes or feelings.

Married Woman

The definition of rape codified in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code includes all forms of sexual assault involving nonconsensual intercourse with any individual. Indian men can legally rape their wives. No doesn't mean no in a marriage in India. Since, you're a married woman and have given yourself to a man, you do everything he "commands." The basis of this argument is that marital rape cannot work in India as it works in the West due to stiff cultural and socio-economic differences between the two regions. The argument is that social customs and religious beliefs, combined with unbelievable illiteracy create an environment wherein marital rape cannot be criminalized seemingly because people aren’t ready for it.

IN CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE READING:

“The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” (SOURCE: IPC) A woman's habits don't make her "desirable" or someone's who's "wanting it" or a "whore". Rape is rape.