VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: The girls in distress are a major phenomenon in Goa which is reflected in the large number of calls received by the 24×7 helpline introduced by Goa Police following the Delhi gang rape case. The records indicate that an average two calls per day are received by the helpline from a girl in distress, wanting police help.
The helpline 1091, which was launched on January 7, 2013 after the safety of women on the streets became a major issue nationwide at the backdrop of Delhi gang rape has received 311 calls. The helpline is exclusively dedicated to women across the State.
“The most common complaint is assault on women either by her husband or in-laws,” Police Control Room PIO Brahma Singh said.
Sources in the 1091 control room said violence against married women is mostly related to dowry demand or for petty reasons such as talking to another men or some household work. The complaints of violence spurting out of extra marital affairs are also received by the helpline.
Majority 195 cases has been reported in the north Goa while 116 in the South, from January to July 15, 2013. Assault on women tops the chart with 90 cases. While seven cases of eve teasing, two cases of kidnapping and one rape case has been recorded at the central PCR.
Singh said once the call attendants receive the calls, it is simultaneously referred to the concerned local police station and women police station for verification and taking necessary action.
The helpline service has however been marred with staff shortage as only one lady police constable of head constable attends to the calls round the clock.
Ironically, setting up of women help desks at each police station which was conceived by Director General of Police Kishan Kumar, has not become a reality in some police stations.
The department had assured that every police station will have at least four-to-six lady head constables and lady police constables each after studying the area, population and criminal offenses. Similarly, the women police station will have one PI, two women sub inspectors and adequate number of LHCs and LPCs. But the scene remains to what existed in all the police stations.
IPS officer Priyanka Kashyap, has called for zero tolerance for atrocities against women. Speaking to Herald, she said social awareness should also be created to change the negative attitude of some men towards the women.
“From the police angle, I will ensure there is preventive action and at the same time, there has to be social awareness,” she said.
The officer, while insisting she has just taken over the charge as north SP, contemplates to hold regular meetings with the general public in this regard. Besides, her other focus areas would also be tackling illegal trafficking of women as most of them are pushed into flesh trade while others who are illegally recruited as maids face domestic violence.
