Acid Attacks: An Overview of Legal Measures and Motivation Trends in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, and Cambodia

Vitriolage is a form of widespread violence around the world. This research analyzed legislative measures against the practice adopted by India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Colombia, and Cambodia. The strengths and weaknesses of the different legal systems were examined. Motivational trends on why the violence was committed were reviewed in the literature in these countries. It was found that acid attacks are a form of gender-based violence. Countries where the measures were adopted to prevent attacks but failed to achieve the goal did not consider the attacks as a part of a broader problem. The only country that seems to have achieved the goal of reducing acid attacks is Bangladesh, where the law aggravated the penalties and implemented awareness raising about vitriolage. Bangladesh also promoted research and studies on the subject. The findings of the article could be helpful for governments in countries where acid attacks occur to create a policy to eradicate the problem.