Campaign to prevent crime against women, children launched

It will create awareness about laws protecting them

March 03, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:35 am IST - SALEM:

Collector K. Maharabushanam (centre) releasing posters with visual elements that portray violence against women and children, and the legal provisions for their protection in Salem on Monday.— PHOTO: E.LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

Collector K. Maharabushanam (centre) releasing posters with visual elements that portray violence against women and children, and the legal provisions for their protection in Salem on Monday.— PHOTO: E.LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

To create awareness about the laws available for women and children and the mechanisms to support their cause, a campaign “Know Your Law’, was launched here on Monday.

Posters with visual elements representing the nature of violence and type of abuse against women and children were released by Collector K. Maharabushanam.

K. Mani, secretary and Sub-Judge, District Legal Services Authority, received them in the presence of Superintendent of Police G. Subbulakshmi, Dean of Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital N. Mohan, District Child Protection officer A. Devagi, and District Aids Protection Society programme manager R. Selvam.

Sathya, State coordinator for Centre for Advocacy and Research, said that violence and sexual abuse against women and children was on the rise in the district in recent years.

Though various protection laws were in force and various departments were functioning to implement it, abuse and harassment was increasing due to poor awareness level among people. Hence the campaign would stress on various amendments to the child and women protection laws including Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace 2013.

As part of the campaign, 40 para legal volunteers were trained to sensitise representatives of teachers, members of school management committees and civil society organisations.

“The objective is to prevent violence, extend support to victims and link them up with the Legal Services Authority, Protection Officers and counsellors,” the officials said.

For free legal aid, the public can contact District Legal Services Authority at 0427-2420011, District Child Protection Office – 0427-2405966, 1098 and Social Welfare Department at 0427-2413213.

Members of Salem Women’s Welfare Association, Salem Transgender Welfare Association, Paalam, District Social Welfare Board, Child Welfare Committee and officials from various departments participated.

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