Crimes against women in India (large scale female infanticide/gender-bias/rape/dowry deaths/domestic violence) are very common but crimes against female tourists to India should not be overlooked by the tourism industry of India.
A Swiss woman has been gang-raped by a group of men in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is thought the woman was camping in a forest with her husband on cycling trip when about 8 men attacked the couple on the 15th of March 2013, robbed the pair and raped the woman in front of her husband. The woman (aged 40) was later admitted to a hospital in Gwalior city.
Various sources are reporting that the attackers tied the husband and raped the women in the husband’s presence, and then they stole their money and valuables. It is thought that the couple was on their way to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Here are some of the sources: BBC – Guardian – Sky News – Yahoo News
I cannot explain the lack of this news in the Indian media. Indian media are very sensitive and blindly-patriotic and will not report certain news.
I am extremely ashamed of these crimes against female travellers to India. Foreign women travelling to India must be extremely careful of where they go, who they are with and what they wear. Rape in India is very common – so common that most rapes are not even registered with the police.
Let me stress that this incidence is not a reflection of Indian society. Most Indians couldn’t be kinder, but this is a horrific act and makes me furious however it’s something that travellers to India should not judge this country on the basis of this crime.
Here’s how to protect yourself from rape when you are travelling in India and some further travel safety tips for India.
