Thousands of corrosive attacks occur globally every year.
Injuries are often life-changing, the intention being to cause long-term physical and emotional suffering. Our mission is to end corrosive attacks. We work towards this goal by conducting valuable research, raising awareness and advocating for restrictions on sale of dangerous corrosives and justice for survivors.
The highest proportion of attacks occur in regions with industries that make intensive use of acid – such as textiles and jewellery.
ASTI’s new campaign uses compelling imagery of a fashion shoot using distressed clothing, representing the devastation of an acid attack.
Photo credit: Connor Adam
Research helps to gain a clear understanding of the causes and effects of corrosive violence. It helps in identifying practical and feasible policy solutions. ASTI has led the way in producing quality research focused specifically on acid violence in multiple countries.
The best way to end corrosive violence is to prevent it from happening in the first place by addressing its root causes. Many of the countries where corrosive violence occurs possess high levels of violence against women. Education is critical in the prevention of acid attacks and other forms of violence against women and girls. Prevention should start early in life, by educating and working with young boys and girls promoting respectful relationships and gender equality.
National governments hold the ultimate responsibility for introducing and implementing laws and policies around acid violence against women and girls. Therefore governments should be, held accountable for doing so.
The obligation for states to prevent violence against women and girls and to provide comprehensive services to survivors of such violence was established as a ‘due diligence’ standard by General Recommendation No. 19 of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1992.
One of the reasons acid violence occurs is the cheap and easy availability of acid. The State’s due diligence obligation to prevent acid violence includes regulating the sale of acid as well as enacting criminal laws to punish perpetrators
