Bengaluru: Women helpline waits to go digital

Bengaluru: The women helpline has been demanding to go digital for over a year now, but nothing substantial has taken place. Officials have put forth the demand before the police department as it has become difficult for the helpline staff to keep track of the cases received every.

Rani Shetty, coordinator of the women helpline, told Deccan Chronicle, “I pointed out the need for a digital setup to the previous police commissioner and it was brought to the notice of the present commissioner as well. We want technology that is similar to that of the police control room. Currently, all the complaints are noted down in a register. We have six staffers who attend to the calls. Two each work in three shifts. We follow up all the cases, and cases pertaining to safety and family are given importance. In cases of rescue, we call them to know if they are safe. If the operation is digitised, it will be easier for us to follow up the cases.”  

She said, “We have been promised that the digital setup will come up soon. In fact, DCP Nagendra Kumar visited our office and collected a lot of information.” Mr Kumar said, “The project is in the process. The technology will be developed and installed by a third party. They will also provide necessary training.”

After the horrific Delhi rape in 2012, a 24/7 women’s helpline, 1091, was launched with a lot of fanfare with an aim to help women in distress.