Mangaluru: The State expert Committee for Women Safety, headed by former Law Minister M C Nanaiah, held a discussion on the atrocities on women at the Netravati Hall, Zilla Panchayat here, on March 4.
Addressing the gathering, M C Nanaiah said that one of the men on death row for the crime in the Nirbhaya case, Man Singh, giving a statement to a channel said that the young woman invited the rape because she was out late at night and that she would have lived, if she had not resisted the assault. After getting the death penalty and when the case is in the final stage, Singh blaming the girl who had been raped and killed said, “If she would have allowed us to rape her, we would have finished our work and let her go.”
Nanaiah further said that the committee had received many suggestions to bring changes in the law on atrocities on women. “They suggested the usage of third degree treatment, such as to shoot the rapist, chemical treatment or castration. In a democratic country, we cannot use third degree but we can punish the accused under the existing law.”
He also said that so far the government has not done any survey on sex workers, but in India more than one crore sex workers are in sex trade. “There are two aspects to deal with the situation, one is to give legal recognition. The other is to not give legal recognition and instead bring them into the main stream by rehabilitating them.”
Nanaiah also said that honour killing exists in the state but not in Mangaluru. “Another issue is moral policing. No one has the right to take law in their hands. Everyone is equal before the law. The rule of law should be absolutely followed, be it a politician or anyone else.” He also urged the concerned authorities to bring awareness among the people about the procedures to deal with such situations.
Later, representatives from various organizations shared their experiences and gave their suggestions. Kamala Gowda said that in rape cases bail should not be given. Charge sheet should be filed immediately and any form of compromise should not be entertained. The culprits should not be protected by influential persons. As soon as the crime is proved, action should be taken immediately. She also said that in the government Wenlock Hospital, the procedure is very slow and there are no proper facilities when the victim is taken there for medical test.
Nanaiah said that most of the rape victims do not come forward to file the complaint, they live in trauma and only some cases of sexual harassment are reported and only a few are registered.
Asha Ravi, an advocate by profession, said that in some cases, the media publishes entire details of the rape victim except her name and people can easily identify the victim. “Sexual harassment is a crime and in such cases, the media should be careful and not give any identity of the victim or her family.”
Social activist Mary Pais said, “In the district, moral policing is rampant. Why the moral policing cannot be stopped?” she questioned. “When there is moral policing, why are the police not arresting the persons involved?”
Nanaiah replied, “No one has the right to take law into their hands.” He also instructed the police to take strict action against the violators.
An owner of a web media said that she has been harassed using derogatory language on the social media by men for publishing news or for her social work.
Nanaiah said that nowadays, the cyber related crimes are rampant. “At present it is difficult to deal with cyber crimes as the server is in the US, but we are trying our best to do justice with the victims.”
Social activist Rita Noronha said, “Some men do not respect women. Gender sensitization programmes should be organized in schools and children should be taught about the good and bad touch along with sex education made mandatory in high schools. Domestic violence also has increased where sometimes wife is harassed by her husband with forced sex, such cases should be considered as rape.”
Hilda Rayappan said that the cases of sexual harassment have increased and the girls are coming out to file complaints. “At the same time, they fear that they will not be accepted by their parents. Such girls should be rehabilitated. In every school, a complaint box should be kept and a committee should be formed to investigate such cases.”
Social activist Nanda Pais said that in the Mulky police station, a victim was not treated well by the police. After she intervened, the police finally filed a case. In such cases, a committee should be formed to bring awareness among the people in rural areas.
DC A B Ibrahim said that in Dakshina Kannada, there are 1,020 females for every 1,000 males. “In the district, infant mortality (IMR) and the mother mortality rate (MMR) is very low compared to Kerala. Very few cases of child marriage and child labour were reported in the district. As most of the women are working, exploitation of women is very less. We have a women police station in the district.”
Police Commissioner S Murugan said, “We have registered atrocities on women cases without wasting time and also instructed the police officers to investigate every case seriously. In the district, 18 cases were registered in 2013, 27 in 2014 and two cases in 2015. He also brought to notice that lack of infrastructure causes delay in filing the case because all the procedures have to be done manually. “If any police officer will delay in dealing with such cases, action will be taken against them,” he assured.
Presenting the report SP Dr Sharanappa said that in September, a district level meeting was held to deal with such cases. “In 2013, we had registered 14 cases of moral policing, two cases in 2014 and in 2015 so far there are no such cases. We have taken strict action against the violators by opening rowdy sheet. The government has assured to open women police stations to deal with sexual harassment cases. At present, there are a minimum of 2 women police in every police station.”
Sub Committee Chairperson Motamma said that awareness programmes should be organized to educate the people. Police should assist the victims, so that they can get confidence and courage to fight for justice.
Expert Committee members Rani Sathish, Jeeja Hari Singh, Kripa Alva, K S Vimala, MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani, Zilla Panchayat CEO Sreevidya, Prabha H, DCP Crime Vishnuverdhan and others were also present.