We live in a world where our sisters, friends, and colleagues live in fear. This fear comes from the rising instances of sexual abuse, such as the horrific incident that recently shook Kolkata. We can no longer sit idle while this personal terror persists.

No community should have to endure such fear and trauma, yet statistically, 1 in 10 women in the United States have been victims of rape (National Sexual Violence Resource Center). In India, a woman is raped every 15 minutes according to the National Crime Reports Bureau.

Yet, despite these alarming figures, the justice system often fails to deliver a sentence fitting of this heinous crime. We are calling for stricter penalties against confirmed rapists, including capital punishment, to be implemented within a week of the conviction. This would serve as a firm deterrant for potential offenders.

While we understand that this is a controversial call, we believe extreme steps are necessary to fight the ever-growing heinous crime. Moreover, we are advocating for public trials where privacy of the victim is respected, but the identity of the criminal is not hidden.

The safety and dignity of women cannot be compromised under any circumstances. It's time for a change. The implementation of such strict penalties would serve as a powerful message to potential offenders - Our sisters, our friends, and our colleagues, are not targets.

Please sign this petition to advocate for tougher rape penalties and to ensure a safer future for all women around us.