Acid Survivors Trust International
Acid violence is the deliberate use of acid to attack another human being. The victims of acid violence are overwhelmingly women and children, and attackers often target the head and face in order to maim, disfigure and blind. The act rarely kills but causes severe physical, psychological and social scarring, and victims are often left with no legal recourse, limited access to medical or psychological assistance, and without the means to support themselves. Acid violence is a worldwide phenomenon that is not restricted to a particular race, religion or geographical location.
Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) is the only organisation whose sole purpose is to work towards the end of acid violence across the world. Recognising the need for local knowledge and expertise in order to combat acid violence effectively, ASTI founded and continues to support the development of six partner organisations in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Nepal, Uganda and India. It also works with UN agencies, NGOs and strategic partners from across the world to increase awareness of acid violence and develop effective responses at the national and international level.
Achievements
Currently, the six NGO organisations that ASTI supports and partners are in Bangladesh, Uganda, India, Cambodia, Pakistan and Nepal. Together they treat around 1,000 patients per year in total. (Note: These include both new and old cases. Survivors need on-going treatment often over many years. We calculate that 50 registered patients will result in a minimum of 600 admissions for repeat treatment.) Demand outstrips capacity.
Our partners in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia played a key advocacy role that led to legislative reform, taking into account acid violence. The Bangladesh government introduced acid specific legislation in 2002. The Pakistani government passed the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2011. The Cambodian government passed legislation in 2012.
Bangladesh has seen a significant reduction in acid attacks. From 496 in 2002 to under 100 in 2011. This is a 75% reduction. In Bangladesh we have an approach that appears to be bringing about the desired goal of eradicating acid violence. This must serve as an inspiration for a global effort to eradicate this horrific form of gender-based violence.
To learn more about how ASTI and its partners have helped acid survivors, please click here.
ASTI’s patron is HRH The Princess Royal.
‘Saving Face’ the Oscar Winning Documentary!!
ASTI with its partners, the Acid Survivors Foundation – Pakistan and Islamic Help helped the film-makers develop the film
Recent News
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September 10th 2015
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0 CommentsIndia: States criticised for slow response in aiding acid attack survivors
The Supreme Court asked the governments of four States on Wednesday to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failure to submit a comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation and treatment of acid attack survivors.
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September 10th 2015
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0 CommentsNew York Times: Acid attack victim warns buying corrosive liquid is as easy as picking up LIPSTICK
In her online video tutorial, Reshma Bano Quereshi promises to teach her viewers “how to get perfect red lips.” After sharing her cosmetic tips, Ms. Quereshi, 18, talks about her far more striking facial features. She is missing her left eye, and her skin is badly scarred from an attack in Northern India last year.
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September 08th 2015
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0 CommentsSouth Africa: Manhunt underway after an acid attack caused the death of a woman and her nephew
Durban – A manhunt is underway after a Durban woman and her nephew died when acid was thrown on them while they were sleeping. KwaZulu-Natal police said Ntokozo Sobahle Nzuza, 34, and her 4-year-old nephew Mlungisi Ngongoma were attacked by an unknown suspect on July 30.
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September 07th 2015
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0 CommentsSouth Africa: Acid attacks ‘an extension’ of domestic violence’
“… It’s obviously an extension of domestic violence and as such it’s one of these methodologies that men use to attack women… to try and scar them physically and psychologically.” 702’s Azania Mosaka unpacks the case of a man accused of throwing drain acid over his former girlfriend with National Burn Association of SA’s executive director and the founder of a support group for burn victims, Aida Muaniki.
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September 06th 2015
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0 CommentsIndia: Acid attack victim dies
After battling for life for nearly two months, acid attack victim Zarina Begum (38), who was attacked by her ex-husband, breathed her last while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai, on Saturday. Hospital sources attributed her death to the grievous injuries/burns sustained in the attack.
