Psychosocial ‘Treatment’ of Victims of Sexual Assault– A Study of Legal Framework in India

ABSTRACT

Sexual violence against woman is one of the burning problems in India. Every act of sexual assault affects both the victims and their families. The impact of the assault on the victims and their families stretch not only to serious physical injuries but also to psychological injuries. This type of heinous and violent crime disrupts the victim’s day to day activities and it also has a long-term physical and psychological effects on the victim. Certain laws in vogue, amended from time to time, intend to relieve victim and her families from their sufferings and ‘treat’ them. The objective of this essay is to outline many psychosocial issues that the victim has encountered, as well as how the legal system has evolved to assist the victim and assess its efficacy in healing psychological trauma and shock. It also strives to offer certain pertinent suggestions to enhance its efficacy.

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