Hyderabad: Crimes against women do not reflect in the statistics despite the best efforts put in by the police and the state government. Several other categories of crime have seen a decline but for atrocities against women. Women’s rights activists have sought to know why have crimes against women risen while others have been brought down.
Despite the addition of SHE Team, special cabs and buses designated for working ladies, women in Telangana do not feel safe enough. Even giving women employees the option of working from home during night shifts hasn’t had helped.
SHE Team ACP D. Kavitha said, “The rise in the number could be due to more cases being reported these days. Women know that they will receive immediate help without their details being revealed, without having to do the rounds of police stations or face humiliation from peers has enabled them to report crimes more freely.”
To combat increasing cases of stalking in the city, the SHE Team is planning to use technology even more. “CCTV cameras have proved to be very helpful in solving cases. Now, we will also use cameras to record instances of stalking, and even give mini cameras to complainants who can record evidence of a persistent stalker. We have been raising awareness against stalking and have asked women to file a complaint the moment they feel any kind of undue pressure from a man.”
More volunteers will be recruited, while several female students from colleges have already joined teams to ensure safety of women.
Additional CP (crime) Swati Lakra said, “We can’t say there has been a rise in the number of cases, only a few isolated incidents here and there. We are trying to bring down the number of cases with the help of our SHE Team.”
Police officials are also in constant touch with IT companies which have a large number of women employees to know about the safety measures they have undertaken.
Although the crime rate in the city is alarming, women from rural areas also face the brunt of domestic abuse, sexual assault and other atrocities.
Dr Sunitha Krishnan, member of Telangana Commission for Women said, “Earlier if one woman reported an assault case, today five women are able to do the same. There is better awareness.”
