An acid attack, also called acid throwing, vitriol attack, or vitriolage, is a form of violent assault involving the act of throwing acid or a similarly corrosive substance onto the body of another "with the intention to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill.Perpetrators of these attacks throw corrosive liquids at their victims, usually at their faces, burning them, and damaging skin tissue, often exposing and sometimes dissolving the bones. Acid attacks can often lead to permanent blindness.

The most common types of acid used in these attacks are sulfuric and nitric acid. Hydrochloric acid is sometimes used, but is much less damaging. Aqueous solutions of strongly alkaline materials, such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), are used as well, particularly in areas where strong acids are controlled substances.

The long term consequences of these attacks may include blindness, as well as eye burns, with severe permanent scarring of the face and body along with far-reaching social, psychological, and economic difficulties.

Today, acid attacks are reported in many parts of the world, though more commonly in developing countries. Since the 1990s, Bangladesh has been reporting the highest number of attacks and highest incidence rates for women with 3,512 Bangladeshi people acid attacked between 1999 and 2013, and in India acid attacks are at an all-time high and increasing every year.

Although acid attacks occur all over the world, this type of violence is most common in South Asia.The UK has one of the highest rates of acid attacks per capita in the world, according to Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI).  In 2016 there were over 601 acid attacks in the UK based on ASTI figures, and 67% of the victims were male, but statistics from ASTI suggest that 80% of victims worldwide are women. Over 1,200 cases were recorded over the past five years. From 2011 to 2016 there were 1,464 crimes involving acid or corrosive substance in London alone.

Motivation of Perpetrators:

Personal conflict regarding intimate relationships, and sexual rejection

Racial motivations

Sexual related jealousy and lust

Social, political and religious motivations

Gang violence and rivalry

 Attacks against Revenge for refusal of sexual advances, proposals of marriage and demands for dowry

How to end Acid attacks?

Implementation of laws

National governments hold the ultimate responsibility for introducing and implementing laws and policies around acid violence against women and girls. Therefore governments should be, held accountable for doing so. They are also well placed to achieve change on violence against women and girls. The obligation for states to prevent violence against women and girls and to provide comprehensive services to survivors of such violence was established as a ‘due diligence’ standard by General Recommendation No. 19 of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1992. One of reasons acid violence occurs is the cheap and easy availability of acid. The State’s due diligence obligation to prevent acid violence includes regulating sale of acid as well enacting criminal laws to punish perpetrators (see Justice? What Justice? ASTI’s study on acid violence laws in UK, India, Cambodia and Colombia.)

Changing attitudes

Many of the countries where acid violence occurs possess high levels of violence against women. Like other forms of violence against women, acid violence  arises due to inequitable gender relations.  Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms and gender stereotypes that perpetuate such violence. The best way to end acid violence is to prevent it from happening in the first place by addressing its root causes. Education is critical in prevention of acid attacks and other forms of violence against women and girls.

Prevention should start early in life, by educating and working with young boys and girls promoting respectful relationships and gender equality.

Research

Research helps to gain a clear understanding of the causes and effects of acid violence. It helps in identifying practical and feasible policy solutions. This enables consensus in favour for change particularly in persuading policy-makers to change policies, laws or implementation; quality research is needed to evidence the need for change. ASTI has led the way in producing quality research focused specifically on acid violence in multiple countries. Here are examples of research conducted by ASTI:

“Justice? What Justice.” Our latest report (released September 2015) analyses cases across India, Colombia, Cambodia and the UK and has been compiled by leading international law firms, ASTI and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. This report evidences the lack of justice for survivors of acid attacks.

In partnership with local partners situational analyses of acid and burns violence in Cambodia, Nepal and Uganda was produced. These comprehensive reports provide a strong evidence base by examining the incidence and profile of victims, criminal laws, survivors’ access to medical, social support and justice mechanisms, and provide recommendations to combat acid and burns violence in the three countries. These reports were published on 14 November 2011 and are a vital tool in raising awareness and strengthening support services to survivors.

Partnerships and coalitions

ASTI seeks to work in collaboration and partnership with multiple partners in multiple countries. We recognise the importance of partnerships and coalitions.  A coalition of like-minded organisations can win on more fronts than organisations working alone at state and national level.  Partnerships leverage the comparative advantage of each member, reduce duplication, share knowledge, information and expertise. ASTI has worked with a network of likeminded organisations such as Acid Survivors Foundation Pakistan, Burns Violence Survivors Nepal, Acid Survivors Foundation India, Cambodia Acid Survivors Charity, Acid Survivors Foundation Bangladesh and Acid Survivors Foundation Uganda.

ASTI has also partnered on large projects with the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Nations for projects in Pakistan, Uganda, Nepal, Bangladesh and Cambodia.

These partnerships have led to:

Medical care for survivors

Raising awareness on rights of survivors

Access to legal support

Assistance in psychological and social rehabilitation

Livelihood support for survivors

Training of medical staff

Advocacy for changes to prevent acid attacks occurring

Source: ASTI(Acid Survivors Trust International)