India’s National Commission for Women (NCW) chair Rekha Sharma (referred to as Rahatkar in one report) says interpretations of sexual offences should not be confined to the physical act alone. In statements reported by The Hindu and Deccan Chronicle, she argues that legal interpretation should also consider the survivor’s dignity and consent, including the fear experienced during the incident and the psychological trauma that follows. The NCW chief also emphasises that the goal of justice cannot be reduced to a narrow, purely technical reading of the law. Her remarks focus on how courts and investigators should understand the impact of sexual violence, beyond the mechanics of what happened physically. Taken together, the reports present the same core message: that assessing sexual offences requires a broader approach centered on the experiences and rights of the survivor, including consent and mental harm. The NCW’s position underscores the commission’s view that justice standards should reflect both legal definitions and the real-world consequences of such crimes.