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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March 08th 2013
Read full article‘Combating acid violence against women’
‘Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) works to eradicate acid violence and improve the lives of its victims, 80% of whom are women. Here, Executive Director Jaf Shah addresses the devastating effects of acid violence, and details the Trust’s work to combat against it’
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March 08th 2013
Read full article‘Separate Act sought against burns violence’
KATHMANDU: A 28-year old girl whose identity was not revealed‚ talks about her husband attacking her with acid 12 years ago
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March 07th 2013
Read full articlePakistan
‘Tough law sees acid conviction rate triple in past year’. To see the video please follow this link
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March 04th 2013
Read full article‘The Crime of His Childhood’
‘On an October afternoon 40 years ago, on a beautiful block in Park Slope, Brooklyn, a crime occurred in a split second that was as permanent as it was cruel’
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March 04th 2013
Read full article‘Tough law sees acid attack conviction rate triple in Pakistan’
‘ISLAMABAD: Few have much faith in the Pakistani courts, but campaigners say the conviction rate for acid attacks has tripled since tough new penalties were signed into law in late 2011’
