Rights of Rape Victims In India

The issue of rape is one of the most unfortunate issues that our country is still battling with. Whereas, there has been constant efforts made in terms of legislative policy towards bringing in stringent measures to punish the offenders, but our criminal justice system and legislative policy hardly shows any concerned efforts when it comes to rehabilitation of rape victims. True punishing the offender is important but it can only help in deterrence but what about the victims who has been mercilessly affected by such heinous crime. Even, though post Nirbhaya Case we can see some monetary compensations and funds for victims have been formed through Central Victim Compensation Fund. But, now the question arises, whether just by the monetary compensation the purpose of rehabilitation is completed? Considering the fact that we live in a society where especially rape victims undergo societal stigma and oppression. She is kind of being boycott from the society, she faces challenges to continue her studies, hard to get a job, hardships in getting married. All, this problems can’t be compensated just through monetary relief of few lakhs. Adding to the societal, personal and professional hardships, the victim also undergoes mental trauma and depression. Thus, with all these major issues in hand this paper aims at exploring the research question, “Whether, the current rehabilitation policy for Rape Victims is efficient enough?” , with the hypothesis that it is not and there is a need for change in order to have a holistic approach in redressing the hardships faced by the victims.