Acid throwing or vitriolage is a form of violent assault.
Perpetrators of these attacks throw acid at their victims, burning
them, and damaging skin tissue, often exposing and sometimes
dissolving the bones. The consequences of these attacks include
blindness and permanent scarring of the face and body. These
attacks are common in Cambodia, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh,
Pakistan and other Asian countries. According to Taru Bahl and M.H.
Syed, 80% of victims of these acid attacks are female and almost
40% are under 18 years of age. There is a high survival rate
amongst victims of acid attacks. Consequently the victim is faced
with physical challenges, which require long term surgical
treatment, as well as psychological challenges, which require
in-depth intervention from psychologists and counsellors at each
stage of physical recovery. Depression and anxiety are common
amongst all patients with large burn injuries; however for victims
with acid injuries the physical scarring can lead to feelings of
shame and embarrassment, resulting in the survivor living a life in
hiding due to fear of prejudice and stigma from their peers and the
community.
