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INDIA - ACID ATTACKS - NEW LAW ON PENALTIES & SALE OF ACID BUT VICTIMS NEED MORE SUPPORT

Survivors are demanding free treatment or more compensation to pay for surgery that can cost thousands

An acid attack survivor tells her story at a protest against rape and violence against women in New Delhi. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/EPA

India's supreme court has announced a raft of orders to regulate the sale of acid in an attempt to curb attacks on women.

Last week it ruled that acid should be sold only to people above 18 with valid identity cards. Buyers will have to explain why they need the substance, sales must be reported to the police, and, in the case of an attack, the accused will not be granted bail. In addition, acid attack survivors will receive 300,000 rupees (£3,300) from state governments.

The court, which heard a public interest litigation filed in 2006 by Laxmi, 22, a Delhi-based acid attack survivor, gave the central and state governments three months to implement the measures.

There are about 1,000 acid attacks in India each year. Until recently, there was no separate legislation for such incidents, and data was not collated. But the gang rape of a student in New Delhi in December prompted the government to look at strengthening laws on violence against women. It resulted in an amendment to the penal code that made acid attacks a standalone offence. The court set a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum of life for perpetrators.

The ruling is not retrospective, which means that women who were attacked previously will not receive support. Other recommendations from survivors – such as full medical treatment and assistance finding work – were not included in the ruling.

Compensation to survivors is often insufficient as the multiple surgeries many women require can cost up to £34,000. Activists say no government officials spoke to any survivors or civil society organisations before suggesting the compensation figure to the court. However, the real challenge will be to implement the rules and train police officers to respond quickly to such attacks.

The case of Rupa, 21, from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, illustrates the challenges ahead and the ruling's shortcomings. She was attacked by her stepmother in 2008.

"I was sleeping in my room after a day of back-breaking housework. Suddenly, I felt searing pain in my face. I did not know what had hit me … I ran out of the room, crying," says Rupa. Her father refused to take her to the public health centre, and for the first six hours after the incident she did not receive any first aid.

When the village chief heard about the incident, he informed Rupa's uncle, who took her to a health centre. However, the facilities proved inadequate and Rupa was taken to Safdarjung hospital, a government-run facility in Delhi. She was admitted for three months and underwent seven surgeries.

Rupa's uncle, who spent about £10,000 on her treatment, earns about £165 a month and has a family of four to support. When he could no longer afford to pay for further treatment he sent his niece back to the village.

"I am a burden on my uncle's family," says Rupa, who dropped out of school. "If only the government had made my treatment free or had given me compensation, I would not have to go back to those who don't want me."

Rupa's stepmother spent a year in prison and has been released on bail.

Most acid attack survivors are poor, and their families struggle to pay for medical care. Specialised burns wards are located in urban areas, forcing families to pay large amounts to travel to and stay in the nearest cities.

Things would have been different had the government taken note of recommendations made by the National Commission for Women, a statutory body dedicated to representing the rights of women.

In a draft bill, prevention of offences (by acids) act 2008 (pdf), the commission suggested: setting up a national acid attack survivors assistance board to ensure they receive adequate medical treatment and psychological counselling; providing legal support services; and formulating rehabilitation schemes and insurance cover. It also recommended establishing a national assistance fund.

The recommendations were sent to the ministry of women and child development, but so far they have not been adopted. It is hardly surprising, then, that many acid attack survivors regard the court order as only a partial victory. Archana Kumari, who was attacked with acid in 2008, reportedly said the ruling rubbed "salt on the wounds", rather than healed them.