I write out of a personal and deep-seated fear. As a brother to a sister, the thought that such an unspeakable crime might befall her or any of my close relatives or friends keeps me awake at night. And it's a reality that many of us in India have to face on a daily basis. Rape cases in India have reached a concerning prevalence, with an atrocious record of 32,033 reported cases in 2019 alone (National Crime Records Bureau).

More worryingly, access to justice continues to be an uphill battle, particularly when the perpetrators are influential government officials. Sexual assault victims and their families are often silenced or overlooked in the quest for justice. This gross neglect rings an alarm for immediate and comprehensive reform in tackling the rape culture and comprehensive victim support in India.

We are not just asking for justice for those who have lost their children in such horrific circumstances — we demand it. Our plea extends to the government of India, and all bodies of power within the country, to investigate and bring to book these offenders who use their positions of authority to perpetrate rape and escape justice.

Our fight is towards ensuring that each woman and girl in India can live without fear and have access to justice when their rights are violated. We stand in solidarity with these victims and their families and insist on survivors-focused reforms that will restore their dignity and faith in our justice system.

Join the fight for justice. Stand with our sisters, our daughters, and our mothers. Sign this petition.