Violence against women rise in district

Karimnagar: Despite stringent laws being passed in the wake of Delhi gangrape incident, violence against women is on the increase in the district, suggest statistics.

According to figures available with the District Crime Records Bureau (DCRB), a total of 46 rapes and 240 cases of “attempt to rape” were registered at different police stations in the district from January 1 to November 30 as against 41 rapes and 211 cases of attempt to rape in 2012.

The district has been witnessing increasing number of  crimes against women. Prof. Sujata Surepally of Shatavahana University said, “There are multiple factors that contribute to the violence. Mainly, higher rate of migration, poor surveillance, lack of proper mechanism to address  issues related to  women, insensitivity of concerned officials, apart from significant rate of alcohol consumption among men.”

According to  Prof. Sujata, violence against women is  a socio-economic problem. “With most men migrating  to the Gulf and European countries, women are left behind alone.
“It would have been different if  men were  provided with sufficient livelihood here,” added Sujata.

Apart from sexual assaults, eight housewives were allegedly murdered by their in-laws in the last 11 months, whereas  34 dowry deaths were reported across the district during the period. 
As many as  588 cases of domestic violence were registered, which is lower than the  previous year.

When contacted, superintendent of police V. Shiva Kumar said, “In addition to the new anti-rape Act, we are invoking provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (PCSOF), 2012 against  persons involved in crimes against women and weaker sections.”

V. Shiva Kumar claimed that the police were in touch with public prosecutor in order to ensure convictions, besides launching rowdy-sheets against those booked under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code.