Crime against women on rise in Delhi: NCW

Delhi continues to be vulnerable for women with a reported increase in number of cases of crime against them.

Despite public out cry over the lack of safety for women in the city, the national capital continues to be vulnerable for the fairer sex with a reported increase in number of cases of crime against them.

According to the latest statistics by National Commission for Women (NCW), of the total 2,000 complaints of crimes against women received till mid-December this year, 535 were of rape, 338 of molestation and eve teasing, 361 cases were related to gender and caste based discrimination and 21 for attempt to rape among others.

“These complaints are a matter of grave concern for us. Our Commission is monitoring the situation and taking strict measures to check it,” NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said.

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All state governments have opened separate women police stations in each districts and major cities to deal with cases of crimes against women.

“Even in all other police stations, women have right to be dealt with by a women officer only for their complaints and grievances. But, the number shows that we need to do more to stop cruelty against women,” she said.

The Commission also received 553 complaints of police harassment and 192 for sexual harassment at work place.

The NCW, however, had received a total of 1,086 cases of crimes against women last year, out of which 634 complaints were of rape and attempt to rape, 249 of police harassment, 110 of sexual harassment at work place, 88 for outraging modesty of women and 5 for gender discrimination.

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According to the apex court guidelines, it is mandatory for all the government and semi-government organisations to have an in-house committee to check the cases of sexual harassment, Vyas said, adding that “it is the job of the committee to ensure that no women is being harassed in her office.

“Women face a lot of discrimination at work place on the basis of caste, creed and gender. We need to do a lot to streamline private and public sectors to stop it,” the chairperson said.

The Commission is also considering constituting a task force to create awareness among women on different crimes and discrimination against them.

“We are planning to make a group to look after the cases of crime against women. The Commission is charting out plans to sensitise policemen and people on different issues pertinent to women,” Vyas said.

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“Women today are still unaware of their rights and the Commission’s working. We are planning to work in coordination with NGOs to spread awareness on the issue,” she said.

The Home Ministry in its latest report said that India stands third, leaving behind countries like Sri Lanka, Jordan and Argentina, when it comes to rape cases.

According to the latest Home Ministry data, 18,359 rape cases were registered in India in the first three quarters of this year.

Altogether 44,159 cases of different sex offences were registered across India during the same period.

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The Commission also plans to take up an aggressive advertisement campaign to spread awareness among women, especially in rural areas.