Existing laws dealing with sexual offences and violence against women should be strictly implemented, said U.Vasuki, all India secretary, All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), on Saturday.
She told presspersons that penal action should be taken against police personnel if they were negligent in implementing these laws.
She also said that Sexual Assault Bill pending in Parliament and Prevention of Sexual Harassment in Workplace Bill should be passed.
With respect to aggravated sexual assault like gang rape and custodial rape, life imprisonment should be the punishment.
The period should not be 14 years but lifetime withoutremission. A new law should be enacted incorporating provisions for rehabilitation of victims in acid attack cases.
“A group of ministers was functioning to prepare a bill (to deal with honour crimes) in this connection. But this group has now been dissolved. It should be re-constituted and make suggestions to bring in a separate legislation to deal with honour crimes.”
With respect to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's suggestions on dealing with rape cases, she said that AIDWA did not support the punishments like death sentence and chemical castration. Earlier, she inaugurated the special conference for girls convened by the Students Federation of India (SFI) to protest suppression of women and violence against women.
A rally was taken out by the girl students in the morning. Periyar statue was garlanded.
