Punjab witnesses massive rise in cases of domestic violence and crime against women during lockdown

Punjab has witnessed a massive rise in cases of domestic violence and crime against women since the lockdown was clamped. As per the Punjab police records, 706 cases of domestic violence against women were reported between February and April 20 across the state while there were 986 cases of crime against women in the same period.

On the other hand, there has been a substantial decrease in registration of cases relating to dowry harassment, rape and eve-teasing cases during the same period. The sharp decline in these cases is being attributed to the lockdown/curfew as nobody is able to step out.

Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta revealed that figures show that there has been a 21 per cent increase (from 4709 to 5695) in total cases of crime against women between February and April 20, and a similar percentage of increase in cases of domestic violence against women (from 3287 to 3993) in the same period.

The DGP said amid a massive increase in complaints of domestic violence against women since the lockdown kicked in, the Punjab Police has formulated a detailed strategy to tackle such cases, with daily action taken reports to be submitted by the DSP for CAW cell.

He said the average number of calls received on helpline number 112 per day went up to 133 – a whopping 34 per cent for domestic violence cases – during March 20-April 20, from the previous three months’ average of 99.33. The per day increase in total CAW cases in this period is 30 percent.

To take stock of the situation and discuss measures to tackle this increase, the DGP on Thursday held a video conference (VC) with all DSPs of CAW cell and Women Help Desk Officials. As per the detailed strategy, presented during the VC by Gurpreet Deo, ADGP Community Affairs Division (CAD), SOPs have been put in place to devise the police’s response mechanism.

It has been decided that the Women Help Desk/ Women Response Team will be constituted which will call the concerned victims in distress immediately, provide tele-counselling and even visit if needed. They will also provide in-situ counselling to the couple/family involved and rescue the women victims in case they want to go to maternal house or shelter home. Medical examination is done in case of physical abuse. The teams will then initiate criminal proceedings, in liaison with SHO, if a case is made out, an official spokesperson of the Punjab police informed.

The DGP has also issued a stern warning that such cases will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken.