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Steps on to implement Domestic Violence Act in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: Implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 is under way in the Union Territory. As the initial step, the Department of Women and Child Development has set in process the training of protection officers and identification of medical facilities and service providers to put in place various provisions of the Act.

With the implementation of the Act being long overdue in the Union Territory, the department has started works in various directions to implement the provisions of the Act. In fact, there were complaints of domestic violence in the Union Territory, according to officials.

“We have designated the Child Development Project Officers in Puducherry and Karaikal as protection officers under the Act. The welfare officers at Mahe and Yanam have been designated as the protection officers,” Director of Department of Women and Child Development R. Smitha said.

There were a total of seven protection officers, five in Puducherry and Karaikal and one each in Mahe and Yanam.

One of the duties of the protection officers is to prepare the Domestic Incident Report on the same lines of the First Information Report, officials said.

Simultaneously, the department has called for applications from registered non governmental organisations for the role of service providers.

“When a woman lodges a complaint, she might not be able to stay at home and should be taken to a medical facility if there is a need for examination. In addition, there should be coordination with the protection officer and judicial mechanism. This is where the role of a service provider comes in. They will also provide counselling,” Ms. Smitha explained.

However, the response from the agencies in applying for service providers was not as expected putting forward the need to create awareness of the Act and at the same time educate the general public, officials pointed out.

Medical facilities have also been identified by the department. “Medical facilities and service providers will be available in all four regions. Protection officers, service providers and medical facilities have various duties to carry out under the provisions of the Act. Awareness of the Act is vital,” she stated.

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