TN’s harshest penalties a test for fight against sexual crimes

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented the Women's Safety Amendment Bill in the Legislative Assembly yesterday. 
An amendment to the law has been introduced in Tamil Nadu to impose the death penalty for sexual assault on girls under the age of 12. Subsequently, an amendment to the law was proposed in Tamil Nadu to provide for the death penalty in sexual assault and POCSO cases.
The law has been amended to also impose the death penalty on those who commit gang rape of women under the age of 18. The law has been amended to introduce the death penalty for repeat sexual assault offenders and enforce life imprisonment until death for sexual assault offenders. Police officers, government employees, and individuals in positions of trust who commit sexual assault will face life imprisonment until death. 
Additionally, digital sexual harassment of women now carries up to a 10-year prison sentence. These stricter measures aim to curb sexual crimes, as existing laws like the POCSO Act have not significantly reduced such offenses.
Only through consistent and sustained action can sexual crimes against women be brought to an end. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who controls the police, has assured that he will guarantee the safety of women and girls, take ruthless action against those who commit sexual assaults against them, and ensure that they receive the punishment they deserve according to the law.
The effectiveness of these amendments could be gauged only when it results in a decrease in crimes against women.