Exploring the Provisions of IPC for Victim Rights and Protections

There are a number of specific provisions under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that address the rights and protections of victims. These provisions include:

• Section 357:Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with a fine, or with both.
• Section 357B: Whoever makes any indecent gesture or act to any woman, intending to insult or annoy her, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with a fine up to five hundred rupees, or with both.
• Section 357C: Whoever watches or captures a woman engaging in a private act in circumstances where she would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
• Section 357D: Whoever stalks a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
• Section 354A: Whoever makes any sexual harassment or assault or threat in a public place or outrages the modesty of a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with a fine, or with both.
• Section 354B: Whoever disrobes a woman from her clothing or removes her garment or ornaments without her consent, in any public place or in the presence of any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
• Section 354C: Whoever voyeurises any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

In addition to these provisions, the IPC also contains a number of provisions that protect the rights of victims during the criminal justice process. For example, Section 154 of the IPC requires the police to register all first information reports (FIRs) that are filed, regardless of the nature of the crime. Section 164 of the IPC provides for the recording of the statements of victims before a magistrate, which can be used as evidence in court. Section 294 of the IPC prohibits the publication of the name or address of the victim of a sexual offence without her consent.