Since surviving an acid attack that disfigured her face, Reshma has nailed down a daily beauty routine. But while offering her lipstick tips, the advocate also shared a dark reality about such gruesome crimes.
Together with nonprofit Make Love, Not Scars, Reshma filmed a makeup tutorial, and along with her tips, she reminded viewers just how easy it is for attackers to prey on their victims. Reshma notes that lipsticks and eyeshadows are just as readily available at a store as acid is.
“You’ll find a red lipstick easily in the market, just like concentrated acid,” Reshma says. “This is the reason why, every day, a girl becomes a victim of an acid attack.
Every year, about 1,500 women are attacked with acid, the Wall Street Journal's India Real Time blog reported in 2013.
These attacks disfigure victims’ appearances, and their muscles and internal organs are often damaged as well.
They struggle to find work, and many are driven to suicide, according to the State Department.
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To help curb these gruesome attacks, Make Love, Not Scars - a group that supports survivors - is working to ban acid from being sold in stores.
The group recently launched a petition that, as of Wednesday, collected more than 2,000 signatures.
In addition to working to stop the sale of acid, the group also shares survivors’ stories and supports their rehabilitation.
Rekha, who’s from Bangalore, India, was attacked by her husband at 2013. She suffered burns on her face, hands and chest.
Through social media, Make Love, Not Scars raised 100,000 Indian rupees (about $1,500) for her treatment.
Learn more about the petition and how you can get involved here.