Reports of Acid Attacks in the world
Acid Violence
Acid violence is the deliberate use of acid to attack another human being. The victims of acid violence are overwhelmingly women and children, and attackers often target the head and face in order to maim, disfigure and blind. Acid has a devastating effect on the human body, often permanently blinding the victim and denying them the use of their hands. As a consequence, many everyday tasks such as working and even mothering are rendered extremely difficult if not impossible.
Acid attacks rarely kill but cause severe physical, psychological and social scarring, and victims are often left with no legal recourse, limited access to medical or psychological assistance, and without the means to support themselves. It is not possible to provide the support that survivors require through a single intervention like a cleft palate surgery or the construction of a water-well. In order to rebuild their lives, acid survivors need long-term access to a holistic programme of medical support, rehabilitation, and advocacy that can only be provided by a local organisation. In recognition of this, ASTI has set up a number of in-country partners that have access to a range of specialist medical expertise and knowledge through our international network of volunteers and partners.
Acid attacks are a worldwide phenomenon that are not restricted to a particular race, religion or geographical location. They occur in many countries in South-East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the West Indies and the Middle East, and there is anecdotal evidence of attacks in other regions. In many countries acid attacks constitute a hidden form of violence against women and children that often goes unreported, and the true number of horrific attacks taking place has only come to light after in-depth research by ASTI and its partners.
Reasons for acid attack
Acid violence reflects gender inequality and discrimination in society. Often acid attacks are perpetrated against women because they transgress conventional norms that relegate women to subordinate positions. Indeed, a significant portion of attacks occur when a woman exercises decision-making power by rejecting a marriage or "love" proposal. Acid attackers aim for a woman’s face in an attempt to destroy what many members of society consider to be one of her most important assets—her beauty. Majority of female victims are between 13 to 35 years of age. Most acid attacks are perpetrated by the people known to the victims and the attacks are often triggered by refusal to sexual advances or marriage proposals or failure to pay dowry or by land disputes. Historically, a vast majority of attacks are against women, with 99% of the perpetrators being men. In recent years there has been an increase in crimes staged against men too, mostly related to the disputes over land and other property. One fourth of the reported victims are children. There were reports that father showered his own daughter with acid as he wanted a boy child. Sometimes, children get hurt as they stay close to the main targets (mothers).
Acid violence reflects gender inequality and discrimination in society. Often acid attacks are perpetrated against women because they transgress conventional norms that relegate women to subordinate positions. Indeed, a significant portion of attacks occur when a woman exercises decision-making power by rejecting a marriage or "love" proposal. Acid attackers aim for a woman’s face in an attempt to destroy what many members of society consider to be one of her most important assets—her beauty. Majority of female victims are between 13 to 35 years of age. Most acid attacks are perpetrated by the people known to the victims and the attacks are often triggered by refusal to sexual advances or marriage proposals or failure to pay dowry or by land disputes. Historically, a vast majority of attacks are against women, with 99% of the perpetrators being men. In recent years there has been an increase in crimes staged against men too, mostly related to the disputes over land and other property. One fourth of the reported victims are children. There were reports that father showered his own daughter with acid as he wanted a boy child. Sometimes, children get hurt as they stay close to the main targets (mothers).
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