Dip in crimes reported against women, NCW chief says may not reflect reality

More than 1.1 lakh cases of domestic violence were recorded across the country, with West Bengal recording the highest number at 19,962. It was followed by Uttar Pradesh with 14,454 cases and Rajasthan at 13,765 cases.

National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma told The Indian Express that these numbers may not represent the reality.

“In our meeting with all DGPs also we found that the police had fewer cases registered but NCW received more complaints compared to the previous year which was not impacted by lockdowns. Women perhaps are unable to reach the police station and seek help due to the lockdown,” Sharma said.

Experts had noted that the lockdown was causing an increase in domestic violence against women. In March, a parliamentary panel dealing with “atrocities and crimes against women and children” had recommended continued cash transfers and moratorium on loan repayments, among other steps, to empower women, acknowledging that lockdown led to a spurt in cases of domestic violence and trafficking.

“The Committee notes that there was a sudden spurt in domestic violence and trafficking of women and children during the unprecedented COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak. This was mainly due to disruption in economic activities, work from home and family spending more time at home during lockdowns. The female migrant workers and their children were trafficked and had gone missing during lockdowns,” the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs headed by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma noted.

Crimes against Scheduled Castes saw an increase of 9.4% in 2020 over 2019, the data showed. Against Scheduled Tribes, too, offences increased 9.3% in 2020 over 2019.