The national survey by an NGO states that out of the 100 rape that take place in India about 75 get reported and out of these only about 30 go on trial while only 5 or 6 assaulters get the sentence. These statistics are very vague but the message they convey are very clear. In the normal life, the victims do not come forward to report such cases. There are various reasons that bound them. They have to keep in mind not only themselves but also the status of their family and society.
In the Indian context, referral to the act on the testimony of a victim of sexual assault in the absence of the girl or the woman who complain of rape or sexual molestation in the absence of collaboration id usually adding insult to injury. Why should the evidence of the girl of the woman who complains of rape or sexual assault be viewed with the aid of spectacles fitted with lenses tinged with doubt, disbelief or suspicion? To do so is to justify the charge of male chauvinism in a male dominated society.
1. A girl or a woman in the tradition bound non-permissive society of India would be extremely reluctant even to admit that any incident which is likely to reflect on her chastity had ever occurred.
2. She would be conscious of the danger of being ostracized and looked down upon by the society including her own family members, relatives, friends and neighbor.
3. If she is unmarried, she would apprehend that it would be difficult to secure an alliance with a suitable match from a respectable family.
4. She would face the risk of losing the love and respect of her own husband and near relatives and her matrimonial home and happiness being shattered.
5. It would almost inevitably and invariably resulting mental torture and suffering to herself.
6. The fear of being taunted by others would always haunt her.
7. She would feel extremely embarrassed in relating the incident to others being overpowered by the feeling of shame on account of the upbringing in a traditional bound society, where by and large sex is a taboo.