The absence of provisions in the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for care of victims of sexual offences; hardship faced by women in getting protection from domestic violence; and harassment women face while travelling in city buses were among the issues raised in a meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Wednesday.
The meeting was called by an expert committee headed by the former Law Minister M.C. Nanaiah that has been asked to study laws regarding sexual assault and suggest amendments that are necessary. Apart from Mr. Nanaiah, the former Ministers Motamma and Rani Satish and the former Director General of Police Jija Hari Singh attended the meeting.
Hilda Rayappan, founder of Prajna Counselling Centre, pointed out that the POCSO Act was silent on the trauma faced by child victims of sexual offences. “There is absolutely no importance for victims,” she said. Children, especially girls, who complain about a sexual assault, have been disowned by parents and family members. “As many as 18 such children are in our centre,” she said. Supporting Ms. Rayappan, Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D. expressed the need for the committee to consider the plight of the victims.
Nanda Pais, a social worker, said the police insist on a letter from the Protection Officer sitting in Mangaluru to attend to the needs of protection of harassed women. “How can a woman come all the way to Mangaluru to get a letter?” she said referring to the way Mulky Police treated a victim recently.
Merlin Martis, another activist, said the absence of the required number of protection officers was causing delay in providing relief to domestic violence victims.
Jyothi Lakshmi from Mahila Sahayavani said there were no facilities in the district to take care of mentally challenged women who are abandoned in places such as Dharmasthala. She also expressed concern over the absence of the necessary number of women constables in police stations, who are needed to hear and counsel victims of sexual harassment.
Attacks on couples
Writer Leela Sampige, who is a member of committee, expressed concern over the increase in number attacks of couples from different communities. “We hear of such cases only here,” she said. Mr. Sharanappa said police had registered as many as 14 cases of assaults so far. While a majority of the incidents were reported in 2013, two incidents were reported last year. The police were quickly acting on such complaints have arrested the accused. “There is no leniency (towards such offences),” he said.
Police Commissioner S. Murugan, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati and new Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P.I. Sreevidya participated in the meeting.
