This Is How India Treats Women Who Protest Against Rape (GRAPH

WARNING: EXTREMELY GRAPHIC IMAGES, DO NOT SCROLL DOWN IF THE IMAGES MAY CAUSE DISTRESS

           The world has reacted with horror as appalling stories of sexual violence in India continue to saturate the media. But on the ground, the reality is even more harrowing.

            These shocking images show how the authorities have reacted to women protesting against yet another spate of sickening attacks in India.

            Driven back by water cannons and police – including a number of female officers – these protesters were subjected to violence while attempting to stand up for their rights.

            No longer, Indian politicians have promised, would rape victims be shamed by police. No longer, the Indian judicial system said, would rapists be able to blame their victims.

The images below show that the women of India, along with scores of male protesters, feel that these promises have been broken.

         The hundreds of protesters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh state, marched on chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's office, demanding that the government curb police indifference, which they said was encouraging attacks on women.

But this is a hostile culture for women – where a top policeman says, "If you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it."

In 2011, the Thomas Reuters Foundation named India the worst place in the world for women. Records show a rape occurs every 22 minutes there, according to the AP.

         The cries for action follow a young woman being raped, forced to drink acid then dragged to her death in yet another sickening assault – just days after the murder of two cousins.

Disturbing pictures of the two teenage girls found hanged from a mango tree after being gang-raped have been broadcast on Indian TV.

        Authorities have arrested five men - three brothers and two police officers.