subject: ACID ATTACKS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES [print this page] ACID ATTACKS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES ACID ATTACKS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
Now-a-days the number of acid attacks on women is increasing at a rapid rate throughout the world, particularly, south-east Asian countries,and Middle East countries. In other countries, this rate is not low. Recently some instances of acid attack have attracted the people of the world.
Acid throwing (acid attack) is a form of violent assault . Perpetrators of these attacks throw acid (generally, sulfuric, nitric or hydrochloric acid) at their victims (usually at their faces) burning them, and damaging skin tissue, often exposing and sometimes dissolving the bone. The consequences of these attacks include blindness and permanent scarring of the face and body. These attacks are most common in Cambodia, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other countries of the world. This phenomenon is also common in African countries, Latin American countries. This does not matter whether a country is rich or civilized. It is found that 80% of victims of these acid attacks are female and almost 40% are under 18 years of age.
There is a high survival rate amongst victims of acid attacks. Consequently the victim is faced with physical challenges, which require long term surgical treatment, as well as psychological challenges, which require in-depth intervention from psychologists and counselors at each stage of physical recovery.
Depression and anxiety are common among all patients having large burn injuries; however for victims with acid injuries the physical scarring can lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment, resulting in the survivor living a life in hiding due to fear of prejudice and stigma from their peers and the community. Many survivors continue to have vivid memories of the incident which cause great levels of distress, especially when they know their attackers are free to attack again.
Reasons of acid attacks: Love affairs between a female and a male (both youths), animosity between divorced a husband and a wife,good looking of a female, rivalry between two groups, leading to acid throwing between them, religious fanatics. Besides there are many reasons for which acid attacks take place. None of fighting persons thinks of severe consequences which will happen with the person affected.
Some of countries passed very severe punishment to those who do this matter. As for example, In 2002, Bangladesh introduced the death penalty for throwing acid and laws strictly controlling the sales of acids. Under the Qisas law of Pakistan, the perpetrator may suffer the same fate as the victim, and may be punished by having drops of acid placed in his eyes.
