Sharp rise in cases of crime against women: WCD Ministry

The Central government has seen a substantial rise in cases registered of crime against women. Total 244270, 309546 and 337922 cases were reported in India under crimes against women including domestic violence during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, indicates the latest data provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has recently made some schematic interventions to address the issue of violence against women such as One Stop Centre (OSC), Universalisation of Women Helpline scheme and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.

WCD Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi had told the Lok Sabha recently, “The scheme of One Stop Centre is being implemented from April 1, 2015 in State/UTs with the objective of providing medical aid, police assistance, legal aid, psycho-social counselling etc. to the women affected by violence. The scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline is being implemented through States/UTs from April 1, 2015 providing immediate and emergency relief to women in distress. Beti Bachao Beti Badhao scheme launched on January 22, 2015,  aims at addressing the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio and empowerment of women on a life cycle continuum.”

Noting an increasing trend in such cases, the Minister said, “A total of 244270, 309546 and 3,37,922 cases were reported in the country under crimes against women including domestic violence during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, as per the data provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).”

Gandhi also said that as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects and, as such the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime lies with the States/UT Administrations. “However, safety and security of women in the country is of utmost priority for the Government,” she said.

“There has been special laws enacted relating to women such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,2006 (PCMA). The Criminal Law (Amendment), Act 2013 has been enacted making the punishment more stringent for offences like rape,” she added.

State /UT Governments are responsible for implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005. States/UTs are required to appoint the Protection Officers, registration of Service Providers and notification of shelter homes and medical facilities. All State/UT Governments have appointed/ designated Protection Officers.

Further, the Ministry of Women and Child Development regularly reviews the implementation of the Act in workshops and conferences with State Governments/UT Administrations. It has also been emphasised upon the State Governments/UT Administrations to impart training to Protection Officer and First Class Judicial Magistrates/Metropolitan Magistrates to deal with cases under Domestic Violence Act.