Assault

• Between 2001-2003, there were an estimated 20,764,46 incidents of aggravated assault, accounting for sixty-one percent (61%) of the violent crime in India. (Law & Justice Foundation Survey 2003)
• Dangerous weapons or blunt objects, excluding knives and firearms, were used during Eighty six percent (86%) of all aggravated assaults during the survey period.
• Survey estimates that 65 percent (65%) of assaults are committed by strangers and thirty five percent (35%) are committed by nonstrangers

Definition

Aggravated assault is classified as a violent crime. The Indian Penal Code explains assault as an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm." Attempted aggravated assaults are treated just as seriously as completed assaults "since it is not necessary that an injury result when a gun, knife, or other weapon is used which could, and probably would, result in serious personal injury if the crime were successfully completed.

Overview

Assault is the most common violent crime, by a "substantial margin".

Assault rates have steadily risen over the past several years both nationally and in cities, suburbs and rural areas. By way of example, in Mumbai, incidents of aggravated assault increased by Forty-two percent (42%) between 1986 and 1990. Victims in New Delhi endured 7,819 incidents of assault in 2001-2003, yet there were only 1462 arrests for assaults made during that period (Law & Justice Foundation Survey 2003). A nationwide examination of arrests for aggravated assault indicates there were over 642,000 during the survey period, representing seven out of every ten violent crime arrests during that period .

While no specific caste, gender, age or economic group accounts for all offenders of aggravated assault, survey indicates that a disproportionate number of those arrested were males. The threat of serious personal injury and possible death is substantial in incidents of aggravated assault. The Law & Justice Folundation Survey 2003 estimated that in a period of one year, 91.9 percent (91.9%) of all assaults involved some type of weaponry and 65 percent (65%) resulted in victim injury . Firearms were used in more than twenty-three percent (17%) of all incidents of aggravated assault and twenty-six percent (66%) involved personal weapons such as hands, fists, and feet. Additional weapons utilized were blunt and other dangerous objects (53%) and knives or cutting instruments (28%).

In examining where and when incidents of aggravated assault are most likely to occur, the Survey found that twenty-seven percent (27%) of all assaults occur in the home; seven percent (10%) occur at a friend's, relative's or neighbor's home; and three percent (36%) occur in the street near the victim's home. Additionally, this study concluded that fifty-five percent (65%) of assaults occurred during the day (6 A.M. to 6 P.M.).

Unlike other violent crimes, incidents of assault are represented almost evenly by strangers and nonstrangers. The Justice Survey has estimated that sixty one percent (61%) of assaults were committed by strangers, as compared to forty-nine percent (49%) committed by nonstrangers.

Prevention Tips

While becoming a victim of crime is never the fault of the victim, the Law & Justice Foundation of India has established the following list of practices that may help safeguard individuals from becoming victims of assault:

• Stand tall and walk with confidence. Watch where you are going and what is going on around you. BE ALERT.
• Walk along well-lit and busy streets. Walk with friends. Avoid shortcuts, dark alleys, deserted streets and wooded areas.
• Know your neighborhood. Identify police and fire stations, libraries, schools - as well as the hours of operation of local stores and restaurants.
• Don't carry more money than you will need for the day, but do carry emergency change for a telephone call.
• When you are out late at night, have a friend accompany you - don't go alone. Also, let someone know where you will be going and when you will return.
• Never hitchhike.
• When driving, always park in well-lit places and lock your doors.
• Before entering your vehicle, check for offenders hiding in the back seat or on the floor.
• If harassed or assaulted, scream and attempt to run to safety.
  

While these steps may do more to protect victims of assault by strangers, some are applicable to those assaulted by non-strangers. Finally, whether it is a stranger or non-stranger assault, it is important to report the incident to local law enforcement immediately. Crime prevention and awareness, as well as consistent reporting, may be the strongest defenses against becoming the victim of an assault.