Barbarism

So many women in Bangladesh are attacked with acid that an Acid Survivor’s Foundation is necessary.
From their Web site:

Acid attacks have traumatic consequences – physically, psychologically, and socially. Nitric and sulphuric acid causes skin tissue to melt; in some cases leaving the bones underneath exposed and dissolving bone. Most seriously, acid striking the eyes permanently damages them, and many survivors lose one or both eyes.
…
Acid violence is a relatively recent phenomenon, with the first documented acid violence case occurring in 1967. Victims are attacked for many reasons, such as for spurning the sexual advances of predatory males or rejecting marriage proposals. Recently, however, children, older women and sometimes men have been attacked in the course of family or land disputes, vengeance, and dowry demands.

Andrew Apostolou found a BBC article (with photos) about an acid attack victim in Pakistan. Do not click this link unless you are fully prepared to be horrified.