A new front against sexual violence

In order to achieve this objective,Rahat has collaborated with the Mumbai police. One of their initiatives was to draft guidelines for the police for recording and investigating cases of sexual assault. The Mumbai police commissioner has issued a circular to 92 police stations in the city and suburbs enlisting the guidelines to be followed.

“Our job will be to liaison with all stake-holders like police,prosecutors,judiciary and NGOs to make the process easy for victims of sexual assault,” says Rahat’s programme manager existence Sidhva (25),adding that the provisions of law stated in the circular were already in existence.

The guidelines are based on provisions of various legislations like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,Criminal Law (Amendment) Act,the Criminal Procedure Code,the Evidence Act and the Indian Penal Code.

“The provisions are not new,but now they are consolidated,making it easier for the police and other agencies,” said Sidhva.

The Rahat team,which will comprise both officials of the WCD and Majlis,will reach out to victims to ensure they are not re-victimised in the process of seeking justice and their dignity is upheld.

“For ordinary people,it is not always easy to approach the police or the court. So for them,we will be the go-between. We will interact with all stake-holders. We will be there when she deposes in court,when she needs counselling or needs help to seek compensation,” says Sidhva.

Rahat,which means relief,would come into play after an FIR is filed in a case of sexual assault. To prevent victims of sexual assault from turning hostile in the court,Rahat members will convey their plight to prosecutors or the court if they face a threat or are under pressure if the accused is a family member.

“We have already started the ground work with training of police officers. We will be ready to take off very soon. We will start with Mumbai as a pilot project and hope to build a model for other districts to follow,” Sidhva said.

mayura.janwalkar@expressindia.com