Acid attack is the most cruel form of crime in our society.Acid attack is the act of throwing acid on the victim with the intention to cause deformity or disfiguration to any part of the body of the victim.For the past few years there have been an increase in cases of acid attacks in our country.Nearly 250 to 300 incidents of acid attacks are being reported in our country.Acid attack is a form of gender based violence which aims at silencing and controlling women.In majority of  cases of acid attacks victims are women.

The main causes of acid attacks include domestic violence, jealousy refusal to marry, rejection for love and for other personal reasons.Acid attacks have a serious after effect throughout the life of the victim.It causes psychological trauma to the victim,severe pain,permanent disfiguration, infections and even leads to blindness of both the eyes.After acid attacks the victim suffers lot of mental trauma which changes their feelings, behaviour  and perspective towards the society.They also try to withdraw from the society and isolate themselves.

This eventually leads to depression.The society refuses to accept those victims as normal human being.They face discrimination everywhere.Due to their disability,they are unable to work at every places and they have to stay dependent on someone else.The paper discuses the motives behind acid attacks, laws on acid attacks, from after effects of acid attacks in the lives of acid attack survivors.

Introduction
Acid attack is a worldwide problem affecting all regardless of age, caste, and religion. It is the foremost heinous type of gender-based violence against women. Acid attack is also referred to as acid violence or vitriolage, which emerged as a brutal act that shows the gravity of the continued atrocities and human rights violations.The perpetrator's aim isn't to kill the victim but to leave the victim in a very pathetic condition. Injuries on the body heal and leave scars not only on the body but also physically and psychologically.

Violence against women has become a critical issue of discussion at every platform all over the world. In India, majority of victims were inclined to Love issues, sexual assault , Ex-accomplices revenge, Extra marital relations, Dowry, inappropriate activities, Land Issues, Property issues, and alternate reasons. However, the 226th Law Commission of India Report as well as the Justice Verma Committee Report admits that the heinous crime of acid attacks features a specific gender dimension in India. Acid attackers generally target young girls with the intention of disfiguring the face of the victim.

The most common kinds of acids used to attack victims are hydrochloric, sulphuric and nitric acids. The main reasons behind commission of the brutal act of acid throwing are many, namely rejection of affection or marriage proposals, refusal to pay dowry, rejection of sexual advances, property or family dispute or marital disputes like refusal to offer divorce. Acid attacks end in severe physical, psychological and socio-economic consequences and makes the lifetime of the victim worse than death.

Acid attack may be a complex and multi-dimensional problem that creates it very difficult for the survivors to return to normalcy.Women in India are at higher risk of being victims of acid attacks, 72% of reported acid attacks in India have involved women. In India, about 350 cases are legally reported per year , while separate research conducted by an organization named Acid Survivors Foundation India, estimated approximately 500–1000 cases per year in India, excluding unreported incidents.

So in order to prevent acid attack crimes the government made many initiative steps. The issue of handling acid attacks has been taken on priority basis by the government of India and several other steps are taken so as to stop the incidents additionally to provide for treatment and compensation to the victims of such attacks. The criminal law (Amendment) Act 2013 inserted Sections 326A and 326B to IPC and sections 357B and 357C of Cr.P.C so as to curb the menace of acid attacks.

Acid attacks have long lasting consequences. Survivors' life becomes a gutter. They become traumatized and embarrassed to walk out of their homes and carry out simple tasks. Even if they try to pursue a normal life, society never treats them as normal beings. Acid attack rarely kills but causes severe physical, psychological and social scarring.

The victims mainly face psychological effects like trauma, stress, frustration, fear and also suicidal plans. The psychological consequences are adverse in many instances rendering the survivors mentally retarded. The acid attack survivors face social isolation. They are ignored by their family and relatives usually taunt them about their condition. They feel isolated and lonely. Society refuses to accept them and treat them like normal beings.

The severity of bodily injury depends primarily on the concentration or the type of acid used for the attack, and secondarily on the amount of time the body was ex- posed to the acid. The longer a body is exposed the more damage the victim will en- dure. Acids are so corrosive they rapidly dissolve skin, fat and muscle, and even reach bones and organs in some cases.

Victims endure complete or partial destruction of essential body parts such as eyelids, ears, nose, nos- trils, mouth, lips, eyes, cheeks, chin, neck, forehead, skull, breasts, shoulders, and hair, all of which impair a victim for life . Victims also inhale toxic fumes from the acid and burned body parts, which causes a poisonous reaction in a victim's lungs or swelling of the throat, which can lead to difficulty breathing and death due to asphyxiation.

The healing of acid attack burns leaves thick scars and causes skin to tighten or turn leathery, which exposes victims to further deformity and difficulties such as: inability to close eyelids, which makes the eyes vulnerable to blindness due to excessive drying; inability to open or close mouth, which causes teeth to decay and leads to difficulty in eating; destruction of ear cartilage, which increases the vulnerability to future infections and hearing loss.

Victims also suffer severe psychological trauma, primarily due to the pain and terror they undergo during an attack, and secondarily due to the realization that they have a permanently disfigured body. This destruction of the victim's primary identity exposes them to severe psychological diseases over the lifespan. Victims report suffering severe depression, insomnia, recurring nightmares, fear of another attack, headaches, and reluctance to face the world or participate in society. Victims also experience increased anxiety.

Victims also become physically dependent on family and friends for essential daily activities as the attack destroys their prospects of marriage or employment. Victims often become a subject of pity, stares, and mockery due to their scars and disfigurement , which ultimately results in relinquishment of education and hope for the future.

Since acid attacks have such severe consequences, victims need immediate reme- dies including compensation so they can try to correct their physical disabilities with the help of corrective surgeries. They also need access to swift justice and mental health care so they can overcome their trauma. Medical and mental health care are quite expensive in India. And justice is rarely delivered because the processing of cases by Indian Courts is extremely slow.

Objectives

• To Know The Reasons For Acid Attack By The Perpetrators.
• To Study About The Welfare Provisions Of Acid Attacks In India.
• To Find The Different Types Of Problems Faced By The Victims After An Acid Attack.
• To Study About The Effectiveness Of Welfare Provisions Of Acid Attacks.

Review Of Literature
Rabindra Nath Karmakar authored the book 'Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: Theory, Oral & Practical' (2015) (Karmakar)is a book written before the criminal law (Amendment) Act 2013. along with the medical factors; this book beautifully narrates India's legal stand on acid attack before 2013.Jane Welsh,' It Was Like Burning in Hell' (2009), Acid attacks can also be categorised under certain common causes and factors.

This literature also focuses on a comparative study on the explanations and motives behind acid attack cases in four different countries.Nehaluddin Ahmad in the article 'Acid Attacks on Women: An Appraisal of the Indian Legal Response' (2011) (Karmakar; Ahmad, "Acid Attacks on Women:
An Appraisal of the Indian Legal Response")puts light on the evil practice of acid attack that's prevalent in many South Asian countries. The intentional throwing or pouring of acid with a motive of defacing or killing an individual is used as a brutal way of taking revenge.Parvathi Menon and Sanjay Vashistha authored 8'Vitriolage & India- the modern Weapon of Revenge' (2013) is a well written piece of article that covers most aspects of the brutal violence of acid throwing as a weapon of revenge.

Starting with the tragic incident of Laxmi's life the authors proceed to focus on some relevant statistics on the problem.Karthik Ashok, in the 'Report of the Committee on Amendments to Criminal Law' (2013), Reviewing this literature is important because the outcry of public after the Delhi gang rape case and therefore the resulting outcome in the form of Justice Verma Committee Report are the sole reasons behind declaring acid attacks as a standalone offence in India.Kundan Srivastava authored the article 'Weak Laws against Acid Attacks on Women in India- Shameful state for women Organization' (2014), starts with a definition of the term 'acid attack' within the words of the author.

The author considers marriage and family related issues, rejection, male honour etc. to be the vital reasons that result into the brutal violence of acid attack. Elise Bonding (1999) ,in his article also describes the causes and consequences of acid attack in a very precise way. this article also narrates how a budget and simple availability of acid is aggravating the entire situation and putting the victims during a state of terrible physical and psychological challenges. Vanita Awasthi and Rohit Kumar Gupta author article 'A Socio-Legal Study of Acid Attacks on Women in India' (2015) starts with a quick description of the brutal violence that acid attack survivor Laxmi Saa experienced. After defining what constitutes an acid attack; the authors provide some statistical data on the difficulty . Bahl (2008) argues that patriarchy is the main reason for violations against women.

The social organization and cultural system that are keeping Indian women subordinated are perpetuating violence against women, not only during their lifetime, but even before they (girls) are born. Chinmaya Kumar and Hiranmaya Nanda authored research paper 'Acid Attack and women in India: A Critical Analysis' (2015) starts with a quick overview on the difficulty of acid attack.

This introductory part also points out how the increasing rate of crimes and discovery of new ways of committing them could be a big concern for society.Shankarjha (1998) explains that even today, various sorts of violence against women are manifested themselves directly in foeticide, female child killing, bride-burning dowry-murder, wife battering, abduction, eve-teasing, verbal abuses or verbal rebukes. Aishwarya Deb and Prithwish Roy Chowdhury authored 'A Fate Worse than Death: A Critical Exploration of Acid Attack Violence in India' (2015) starts with an idea provoking quotation of acid attack survivor Laxmi. This quotation beautifully portrays how acid attack brings an entire change in the victims' life. Laxmi's statement also portrays how society blames victims; instead of showing empathy for such attacks.

Kaarthikeyan (2005) explains that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity. (Finley, 2013), in this book the author explained that Acid attacks have a catastrophic impact on  the lives of the victims physically, psychologically and financially. Malhotra et al., (2005) point out that in a country, in spite of assorted constitutional safeguards, violation of human rights takes place a day during a variety of forms. Shamsi (2004) explains that according to authentic sources the speed of human rights violation is increasing day-by-day.

This literature also focuses on a comparative study on the explanations and motives behind acid attack cases in four different countries. Devi (2005) points out that in Indian society the matter of violence against women isn't new. The ever present fact of violence, both overt and covert, physical and non-physical, has an alarming influence on the status of women. Network, T. I. (2009) carried out a research on "Indian acid attack victims suffering in silence".

The report uncovered the story of a woman aged 25, burnt from face right down to her thighs. The objective was to explore the recorded cases that were stated hospitals by Progressive Women's Association (PWA). Base., A. (2010) had conducted the study on "acid attacks and their consequences". Statistically, the main purpose of this study was to find that figures of acid attacks on women are rising throughout the world at the present time. Yusufzai, A. (2016) conducted a study on "India moves to counter acid attacks". This study described that country enacted a law that increases punishment for perpetrators and is restricting acid sales in an attempt to get better defensive women.
 
Methodology
The present paper was analyzed through an empirical method of research. The present analysis was made through a random sampling method where the survey was taken from common public, professionals, etc. The sample size in the present analysis is 200 samples, the independent variables in this analysis are gender and age, the dependent variables are interpretation of people's knowledge about the acid attacks in India and people's  opinion on effectiveness of acid attack provisions and on what percentage it reduces the acid attacks. The research tools used in the present paper such as graphical representation was also used to analyse the study.
 
Analysis
   
Figure 1 

Legend : 

In this graph  it shows the relation between age of the sample respondents and elimination of all forms of violence against women shall be strengthened through.

Result : 

In this figure it clearly says that the opinion towards elimination of all forms of violence against shall be strengthened through legal measures or through education and parental guidance . 41.83% of the people who is less than 20 years says that through legal measures we can eliminate violence against women . And 17.49% of the people of age 31-40 years says through parental guidance we can elimate the violence against women . 

Discussion :It shows that 41.83 % of the people of age less than 20 years says that through legal measure we can elimate all forms of violence against women and 17.49 of the people of age 31-40 says that through parental guidance we can eliminate . And they say this because through legal measures.

Figure 2

Legend : 

In this graph question asked elimination of all forms of violence against women shall be strengthened through.

Result: 

Figure 2 shows 41.83% of the respondents have responded that legal measures the violation against women shall be strengthened through.

Discussion:

The percentage of 41.83 of the respondents who have stated through legal measures we can all form violations against womens. Through educating the childrens and youths we can try to stop the violations against womens 

 Figure 3

Legend: 

In this graph the question asked who is the most possible victim for acid attacks.

Result:

Figure 3 shows that 41.83% of teenagers are the victims of acid attacks. It is stated based on the responses collected and the information received by the respondents.

Discussion: 

This bar clearly states that the percentage of attacks on teenagers is 41.83% which is really high. It is answered practically because the respondents are aware about the current threat to a girl’s life in India. 

Figure 4

Legend: This chart represents the relationship between the educational qualification and the most possible victims of acid attack.

Result :

Figure 4 clearly says that the opinion towards the most possible victims for acid attacks are  teenagers that is 41.83% of the undergraduate students agree with that and 17.49% of the postgraduate students says that most possible victims for acid attacks are teenagers and women.

Discussion:

This bar clearly states that the percentage of attacks on teenagers is 41.83% which is really high. It is answered practically because the respondents are aware about the acid attacks 

Figure 5

Legend: 

This chart represents the relationship between the gender and the biggest concern of the government and other authorities victims of acid attack.

Result:

Figure 5 clearly says that the opinion towards the biggest concern of the government and other authorities victims of acid attack that 24.15% of the undergraduate students agree with that and 3.25 % of the postgraduate students says that most possible victims for acid attacks are teenagers and women 

Discussion:

This bar clearly states that the percentage of attacks on teenagers is24.15 % which is really high. It is answered practically it is an biggest concern of the government and other authorities

Figure 6

Legend: 

This chart represents the relationship between the age and the biggest concern of the government and other authorities victims of acid attack.

Result:

Figure 6 clearly says that the opinion towards the biggest concern of the government and other authorities victims of acid attack that 20.50% of the undergraduate students agree with that and 1.00 % of the postgraduate students says that most possible victims for acid attacks are teenagers and women 

Discussion: 

This bar clearly states that the percentage of attacks on teenagers is 20.50 % which is really high. It is answered practically it is an biggest concern of the government and other authorities

Figure 7

Legend:
This chart represents the relationship between the gender and the biggest concern of the government and other authorities victims of acid attack.

Result:
Figure 7 clearly says that the opinion towards the biggest concern of the government and other authorities is victims of acid attack that 24.07 % of the undergraduate students agree with that and 3.24 % of the postgraduate students says that most possible victims for acid attacks are teenagers and women .

Discussion:
It shows that 24.07 % of UG graduates responded that most possible victims of acid attack are the biggest concern of the government and other authorities.

Limitation
There were not many limits from the members and analyst's viewpoint. This review analyzes the encounters of 200 members, engaged with an examination project that investigates a point on Transfer of cases, that was done web based during a pandemic circumstance. Hence the reflections on running gathering interviews, eye to eye before COVID-19 was missing as there were just materials through internet based studies.

Suggestion

• The researcher would suggest that the society must step forward to improve conditions of the acid attack victims.
• Another effective measure is to provide greater awareness about the acid attack provisions.
• The government should also provide a value-based education.
• Educating and working with young boys and girls promoting respectful relationships and gender equality.

Conclusion
From the above study the researcher has established the gravity of acid attack in this paper, focusing extensively on the physical, psychological and economic effects that have on the victims. A discussion has also been carried out on the lacunae in the Indian Law and the way essential it is to have a particular law in this regard. Acid violence is widespread and prevalent in our society that remains often invisible.

Women are unsafe and are frequently victimized even in their homes and sometimes by their immediate family members. Women are vulnerable to every sort of violence. The study aimed to research the causes of acid attacks also as their consequences. Refusal of marriage proposals and family disputes are one of the most important causes of acid.

The government made several laws and schemes, like restriction of sales of acid, harsher punishment for the perpetrators, and free access to healthcare facilities to acid attack victims, have been laid by our lawmakers; however, the main focus should be restricted to prevention. Several measures, like strengthen the NGOs, electronic, print, and social media campaigns, should be adapted to change the orthodox sociocultural norms, which are justifying the violence against women.

Laws have been made to relieve the victim with financial help in the type of compensation. The state government came ahead to assist these victims a little more as they launched a scheme named Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Samman KoshYojana which helps the victims by not only giving the compensation but also providing free treatment without cost limits.

The researcher concludes that the people have knowledge about the acid attacks in India and also the acid attack welfare provisions are very effective and nowadays acid attacks are getting reduced. But still acid attacks prevail in some areas. The legislation did their work properly but women aren't properly utilising it. These are the conclusions obtained by the researcher through the random and convenient sampling method with samples of about 200.

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Written By:

1. Bibilin Golda.D.T, 4th year BA,LLB(Hons), Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS ), Saveetha University,
   Ph no: 9750760537, Email Id: [email protected]
2. Ms.Revathy Rajendran, B.Sc.,M.A.,M.L., Assistant Professor, Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University,
   Ph No:8608279547, E-mail Id:[email protected]