DCW helpline receives over 2.14-lakh calls in six months

Women Helpline number ‘181’, whose operation was taken over by Delhi Commission for Women DCW in February, answered over 2 lakh calls. Most of calls received pertains to cases of domestic violence, the commission said.  

The Delhi government had handed over the operation of ‘181’ ‘Women in Distress’ Helpline number to the DCW on February 11, 2016. The helpline is operational round-the-clock and receives calls from women from across Delhi. The DCW said in the past six months, it had answered a total of 2,14,772 calls. A huge percentage of calls received by 181 pertains to cases of domestic violence. 

Besides this, the helpline receives obscene calls, quarrels and disputes, sexual assault, dowry violence, child abuse, health-related problems, stalking, rescue operation, missing and kidnapping. People also call to seek advice and information on government schemes.

“Trained operators listen to the problems of the complainants and counsel them accordingly. Based on the urgency as explained by the caller, police and DCW mahila helpline counsellors are sent to the victim or complainant,” the DCW said in a statement. 

The DCW is also planning to integrate 181 helpline with Centralised Accident and Trauma Services CATS service to better respond to the emergency cases.