Due to “crime and terrorism,” the United States recently warned Indian citizens to travel with caution. Risks like rape, sexual assault, and terrorist attacks are particularly highlighted in the advisory. Even though these cautions might appear to be standard government procedure, the obvious question still stands: Is America morally qualified to assess India’s safety, particularly for women, given its own alarming statistics?
Let’s dive into the numbers to understand how the two countries compare when it comes to crimes against women.
The Reality of Violence Against Women in the U.S.
According to official data, the United States recorded approximately 139,815 rape and sexual assault cases in 2022. That translates to around 40 rapes per 100,000 people. However, the real picture is even grimmer. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reveals that only 21% of sexual violence incidents are reported to police, suggesting the actual number may be exponentially higher.
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report for the same year reported 6,815 murders, of which 1,022 were female victims. A large portion of these homicides were linked to domestic violence or intimate partner violence. CDC data from 2021 states that between 700 and 1,200 women are killed annually in the U.S. due to domestic abuse.
Sexual harassment in workplaces is another major concern. In 2022 alone, between 7,000 and 8,000 workplace harassment cases were officially recorded. But even these numbers fall short of representing the truth, as U.S. law lacks clear legal definitions for acts like molestation and sexual misconduct, leading to underreporting.
India’s Statistics on Crimes Against Women
India, on the other hand, has a clearly defined legal structure under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which categorizes and tracks sexual crimes in detail. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data for 2022, India recorded 31,516 rape cases, which averages to about 86 rapes per day. In 96% of these cases, the accused was known to the victim—pointing to an endemic social issue rather than random street crimes.
The country recorded 13,497 homicides in 2022, of which 2,222 were classified as dowry deaths or cases tied to domestic abuse. Molestation is clearly defined under IPC Section 354, under which 83,344 cases were registered. An additional 20,945 cases of sexual harassment were filed under Section 354A.
Comparing the Two Countries: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s put the data side by side for perspective:
| Crime Type | USA (2022) | India (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Rape & Sexual Assault | ~139,815 cases | 31,516 cases |
| Homicides (female victims) | 1,022 (out of 6,815) | 2,222 (out of 13,497) |
| Workplace Sexual Harassment | 7,000–8,000 approx. | Properly recorded under IPC |
| Molestation | Poorly defined | 83,344 cases |
| Sexual Harassment | Underreported | 20,945 cases |
It’s clear: the U.S. has nearly 5 times more rape cases than India, and due to vague legal definitions and lower reporting, the real numbers may be even higher. On top of that, crimes like molestation don’t even have a proper legal status in the U.S., unlike in India.
When Foreign Women Feel Safer in India Than at Home
Several American social media influencers and content creators have publicly stated how safe and welcome they feel in India. Many of them travel solo, explore offbeat locations, and even choose to settle in Indian cities after experiencing what they describe as a “safer and more respectful environment” than in the West.
These first-hand accounts challenge the narrative of India being unsafe for women and point to a broader bias in how global north countries perceive the global south.
Double Standards Need to End
Before issuing travel advisories painting India as a dangerous destination, the U.S. needs to confront its own staggering statistics. When your own house is on fire, warning others about a spark seems hypocritical.
Instead of exporting fear, it’s time for America to reflect on the systemic issues plaguing its own society—be it violence against women, underreporting of crimes, or legal loopholes that fail to protect its citizens.
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