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Hate crimes against women have been happening across the world for years. However, in India, it took the life of such a young, innocent, rape-victim, “Damini”, to open the nation’s eyes about this heinous crime. I’ve been typing over, and over again, a piece that would somehow bring “justice” to this young girl, or even shed more light on the recent incidents in India. But then I thought I would let the numbers speak for themselves. I am not sure whether the statements below are more horrifying than they are alarming, but they are the hardcore, researched facts.

23 – The age of the innocent girl, who was gang-raped in Delhi, India.

13 – The number of days she had to be on emergency treatment due to of brain and gastrointestinal damage, from the assault.

5 – The remaining percentage of her intestines which left inside of her after the assault.

375 – The reported number of tear gas containers used by Delhi police on the innocent people who protested the assault.

181 – The phone number for women, in Delhi, to dial if they are in trouble. The helpline will operate from the Chief Minister’s office in Delhi, and will be connected with the 185 police stations across the city.

14 – The average number of women, per lakh population, who have faced incidents such as rape, molestation, and sexual harassment in Maharashtra.

8,618 – The number of dowry deaths which took place in 2011, in Maharashtra.

3,406 – The number of rape cases which were reported in mid-2012, in Madhya Pradesh; studies have coined it as the “rape capital of India.”

26.4 – The average percentage of assault cases which are convicted in India.

26 – The percentage of rape cases which have rose in Hyderabad.

873 – The percentage of rape cases which have increased in India since 1953.

68 – The number of rape cases which were registered in 2012, as per Hyderabad police commissioner Anurag Sharma.

17 – The age of an Indian girl who was gang-raped & committed suicide, after police pressured her to drop the case and in-turn, marry one of her attackers.

228,650 – The number of violent crimes recorded last year in India against women.

If this hasn’t startled you yet to do something, then I am not sure what will. Make it your goal in 2013 to speak up. Any form of violence against a women is unacceptable and should never be tolerated. My heart is ripped in pieces right now, thinking about the bright future, as a para-medical student, this girl from Delhi had. She was even on the verge of getting married with her boyfriend, who was also brutally attacked that day, as he tried to save her.

Something needs to be done about situations like this. It should never take the fact that an innocent person had to lose their life for justice to be done. And unfortunately, that is what has happened. The death of the Delhi gang-rape victim has opened the eyes of India.

To the men who are committing these acts: you need to wake up. You need to realize that you too, came from a women. You have a sister. You have a daughter. You have a niece. You have a female-friend. Do you want this to happen to her?

Of course not. Then what makes it okay for you to do what you do?

“Damini”, please let your soul rest in peace. Your death shall not be in vain. Justice will be served. Your country will work hard to see that this does not happen again. No girl, no family, no nation needs to suffer the way we have with your loss. It is unfair to mankind.