Acid Attacks

Wednesday 11th October 2017 19:11 EDT
 

Acid attacks especially on women are on the increase. It is a very gruesome crime, worse than causing actual bodily harm. It completely disfigures the victims for life leaving deep psychological effect on them. Not only it does harm the victims physically but mentally also. It means their lives will not be the same again.

The Guardian has spoken to victims, community workers, support groups, ex members of gangs, and the police – and all warned that such attacks were of increasing concern. One male former gang member said: “Young gang members are more ruthless than they used to be. It’s now become part of the natural thought process to use acid; it’s on the roster.”

Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey was told that unless it was urgently tackled it was in danger of becoming an epidemic.

The capital has seen a rise in acid attacks with 455 in London over the last year, two thirds of which were against people ore being attacked and was too scared to go to the police.

Banning the sale of acid and corrosive substances for under 18 years old will not solve the problem, because the perpetrators will use third parties older than 18 years to get them the stuff. Acid has now become new weapon as it is easily obtainable. Acid attacks should be treated like a knife and gun crime and the guilty young men be sentenced accordingly. Jermaine Lawlor, founder of Violence4Youth Against Violence said: The criminal justice system is failing the victims and their families.

To obtain proper data on the acid related crimes as to which groups were targeted, admissions and crimes need to be consistently and accurately recorded. It is time for serious actions to be taken by the Police to put a stop to this horrendous crime.

Baldev Sharma

Rayners Lane, Harrow


comments powered by Disqus



to the free, weekly Asian Voice email newsletter