Vibhuti wearing poster on VAW 22-12-2012

he most controversial issues for which there is no consensus amongst the women's groups are marital rape, punishment for rape and demand of monetary compensation to the victim. Women's groups providing support to women in distress have found that sexual assault by husband is the most common and blatant form of rape. But those who oppose to recognise existence of rape within marriage put forward an argument that when a woman enters matrimony she knows that it is her duty to fulfil the desire of her husband. Many experienced lawyers have expressed their concern over the fact that stringent punishment codified in the law results in fewer convictions. While the women's groups have always demanded higher punishment in rape cases. Some women's groups have asked for a compulsory monetary compensation either from the state or the culprit looking at the fact the rape victim faces tremendous social stigma, employers shun her and in most of the cases even her own family disowns her. After decade and half years of struggle against rape, the most of the women activists are feeling that they have reached a square one position so far as changing the situation of rape victims or prevention of rape is concerned.