The brutal gang rape and murder of a young woman in India has reignited global outrage, drawing painful comparisons to the 2012 Delhi bus attack that shook the world. British charities, long campaigning for justice for victims of sexual violence, are now urging nations to overhaul their legal systems and invest in safeguarding women. The victim, a 26-year-old physiotherapy intern, was attacked on a train in the eastern state of Jharkhand.
Four men have been arrested, but the case has exposed deep fissures in India's justice system: delayed trials, police apathy, and a culture of victim-blaming. In London, the charity Women for Women International called on the UK government to leverage its diplomatic weight, pressing India to adopt faster court processes and ensure proper training for law enforcement. This horror is a mirror to 2012,"
said its CEO, Sarah White. We can no longer accept piecemeal reforms. Global standards are needed."
The 2012 case led to tougher rape laws in India, but conviction rates remain low. Today, families of victims still face harassment and intimidation. British trade unions and women's groups have also mobilised, marching outside the Indian High Commission.
They demand that the UK cut aid to states failing to protect women. Meanwhile, in Westminster, Labour MP Stella Creasy has tabled a motion calling for an international treaty on gender-based violence. Time for words is over,"
she told Parliament. We need action." For ordinary Britons, the tragedy hits close to home.
Many recall the 2012 case as a turning point in global consciousness. Now, as the cost of living crisis strains household budgets, charity donations for overseas causes have dipped. Yet campaigners stress that justice is not a luxury.
It’s about the price of safety," said White. And right now, that price is too high for women everywhere."
