Delhi gangrape aftermath: survey by CNN-IBN channel

The horrific and brutal gangrape of a 23-year-old paramedical student inside a chartered bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012 by six men shook the national capital, forcing its citizens to come out on the streets in large numbers to demand justice and seek improvement in law and order. The CNN-IBN State Of The Nation Survey conducted after the barbaric incident reveals that India is seeking stronger laws and stricter punishment for heinous crimes like rape.

With crimes against women and incidents of rapes rising across the country, the Delhi gangrape was seen as a perfect example of how criminals were having an easy run with the police failing to protect the citizens of the country. As protests continued in Delhi the Delhi gangrape braveheart died on December 29 after battling for life for over 12 days.

As the political class found, the protesters were not only demanding justice for the Delhi braveheart but also better security for the women, especially in the national capital.

Their outrage is reflected in the State Of The Nation Survey in which an overwhelming majority have demanded exemplary punishment for those found guilty of rape. Several respondents also came up with options like stoning and flogging rapists in public while 100 per cent of those surveyed were in favour of increasing punishment for the rapists.

Almost 80 per cent of the respondents said yes when asked if the recent Delhi gangrape case will change the way in which crimes against women are dealt/handled in the future whereas 68 per cent answered in the affirmative to the question if crimes against women like rape will stop if the six accused in the recent Delhi gangrape case are given death penalty. Poor law and order and low rate of conviction in rape cases is because of police inefficiency and corruption coupled with the poor implementation of law and the slow process of criminal justice system.

Law & Justice Survey:

Do you think that the punishment for the rapists should be increased?

Yes: 100 per cent

No: 0

Don't know/Can't say: 0

Which of these punishments in your opinion will be the most suitable for crimes against women such as rape?

Death Penalty: 50 per cent

Chemical castration: 23 per cent

Imprisonment: 14 per cent

Flogging, Stoning in public: 11 per cent

Others: 2 per cent

Do you think that the recent Delhi gang-rape case will change the way in which crimes against women are dealt/handled in the future?

Yes: 80 per cent

No: 18 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 2 per cent

Do you think that crimes against women like rape will stop if the 6 accused in the recent Delhi gangrape case are given death penalty?

Yes: 68 per cent

No: 30 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 2 per cent

Do you agree that death penalty for rapists will make these criminals kill the woman after committing rape?

Yes: 64 per cent

No: 33 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 3 per cent

Do you think that in some cases, men are falsely accused of rape?

Yes: 52 per cent

No: 44 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 4 per cent

Should laws for all types of crimes against women be made more stringent/strict?

Yes: 96 per cent

No: 4 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 0

For crimes against women, do you support the concept of time-bound trials?

Yes: 89 per cent

No: 9 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 2 per cent

Who or what do you think is the most responsible for non-delivery of justice in cases of crimes against women?

Police inefficiency & corruption: 20 per cent

Corrupt Lawyers: 7 per cent

The Law: 17 per cent

Slow process of criminal justice system: 16 per cent

All of the above: 40 per cent

Should schools and colleges have compulsory self-defence classes for girls?

Yes: 92 per cent

No: 7 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 1 per cent

Do you think that helpline numbers for women, issued by the Government/police, are effective in preventing crime against women in cities?

Yes: 66 per cent

No: 29 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 5 per cent

Are you aware of the new helpline number 181, launched for women by the Delhi government?

Yes: 66 per cent

No: 34 per cent

Do you intend to use this helpline number 181, in case you face or observe any crime against women?

Yes: 95 per cent

No: 4 per cent

Don't know/Can't say: 1 per cent