Cyberabad police set up helpline as domestic violence cases rise in the city

Hyderabad: As the cases of domestic violence increased amid the lockdown, Cyberabad police set up a helpline. It received 491 cases from July to November, and action was taken on 387 of them. The increased threat to women and children was a predictable side-effect of the lockdown, psychologists said.

Cyberabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said said the domestic violence immediate response patrol team was inaugurated on July 24, consisting of at least one woman police officer to handle calls on domestic violence and crimes against women. The teams provided immediate grievance redressal. The case is later taken up by the SHE Team incharges, local police station or Bharosa centres.

Domestic violence cases included complaints against alcoholic husbands, extra-marital affairs, harassment by in-laws and misunderstanding due to domestic issues. A large number of cases were recorded related to misunderstanding, followed by alcoholic husbands and harassment by in-laws.

It affects all people and is not a problem directed solely at women, although they are statistically more likely to experience domestic violence than men, said Dr Angel Sunaina, a psychologist.

“On top of the stress caused by confinement, fears around job security and financial difficulties are also increasing the likelihood of conflicts. This is causing trouble in households and might have created edgy and short tempered atmospheres.” she said.

She noted that though a large number of complaints were filed, there were many others who could not call for help because they feared being overheard by abusive partners or were stopped from leaving home.

The violence is present almost everywhere and nowhere is this eruption more intense than right behind the doors of the home. “Behind closed doors, all across the country, people are being tortured, beaten and killed. We come across a few videos on social media platforms where the kid is being tortured or a husband is harassing wife,” said Dr Diana Monteiro, psychologist

She said it is happening in rural areas, towns, cities and in metropolitans as well. “It is crossing all social classes, genders, racial lines and age groups. The coined term for this, domestic abuse or violence, is towards someone who we are in a relationship with,” Dr Moneiro said.

Home horror

Cases of domestic violence in Cyberabad: 491

(From July 24 to November 30)

FIRs: 6

Petty cases: 1

Counselling: 105

Warning: 3

Warning, counselling: 126

Referred to police station: 111

Referred to Bharosa: 4

Compromise struck: 31