The Nirbhaya policy, initiated by the State government in June 2012 to ensure women’s security, is yet to see a full-fledged launch. Nirbhaya shelter homes, which house victims of sexual abuse or those facing such threats, was the only part of the policy to be implemented. Now, paucity of funds has put a question mark on these homes’ functioning.
The Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society runs eight shelter homes in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kasaragod. In Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Thrissur, the shelter homes are run by non-governmental organisations. There are no shelter homes in Kannur, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Kottayam, and Alappuzha.
Monthly funds are not paid in advance to these homes. The maintenance fund of Rs.2,000 per head, for those with mental disabilities, differently abled, pregnant or lactating women, is not sufficient to meet their expenses. Around 75 per cent of the homes’ residents are from the SC/ST and minority communities.
Trained workforce refuses to stay on since salary paid is less. Clinical psychiatrists are paid Rs.5,000, limiting the shelter homes’ access to their services. As per RTI reports, the school opening allowance of Rs.1.3 lakh, meant for 25 residents, remains unchanged though some shelters accommodate close to 50 persons.
Lack of coordination among the Social Welfare, Health, Police, SC/ST, Labour, and Local Self-Government departments is a serious handicap in the implementation of the policy. Prevention especially has been a failure. “Not much can happen if the meetings are only attended by the members of the Social Justice Department,” says Sandhya J., Member of Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
“Nirbhaya home is a curative element and becomes functional only after the crime. Much has to be done before the crime,” says Sunitha Krishnan, director of Prajwala Foundation, an anti-trafficking organisation.
“In the case of victims belonging to the SC/ST category, we consider it mandatory to charge the perpetrator under the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act. The SC/ST Department is becoming more sensitive towards the issue,” says P.E. Usha, Project Director of Samakhya Society.
Major difficulties arise at the stage of exit from the homes. Rehabilitation policies are sketchy. “The residents mostly go back to their families. Things become difficult for those who face abuse from within the family,” she says.
Then there is the slow pace of court proceedings and insensitivity of prosecutors. “The statement of the victim is taken by three officials. Repetitive narration of a traumatic incident can only aggravate their pain. This situation can be tackled only by effective functioning of the one-stop crisis centres which provide medical help, counselling, and police enforcement services,” says Ms. Usha.
What it envisages
The Nirbhaya policy was formulated by a five-member expert committee comprising bureaucrat Sarada Muraleedharan, former Director of Public Instruction Lida Jacob, poet Sugathakumari, Prajwala Foundation director Sunitha Krishnan, and social activist Mallika Sarabhai.
The panel recommended formation of Nirbhaya committees at district and State levels, Jagratha Samithis at the grassroots level, and anti-sex trafficking squad supervised by a police official of the rank of DIG, among others.
