Women’s reports of rape and molestation rose in Delhi during 2010. In response, this week the Delhi police force held a press conference to announce several new initiatives to make the city safer for women.
Via Sify News, here are what the initiatives include:
- All Police Control Room (PCR) vans had been ordered to help stranded women at night and women “in distress” can call 100 and get dropped off at the nearest safe spot.
- PCR vans with women police officers will be deployed around women’s colleges and schools.
- There will be a women’s help desk at all police stations, managed by women officers.
- Women police beat staff have been deployed in areas prone to crime against women.
- A 24X7 specialized mobile team will deal with domestic violence.
- Police teams will also conduct surprise checks in buses, markets, universities and areas prone to eve-teasing, especially in the mornings and evenings.
This is quite a lot of activity. Hopefully it will deter some of the street harassment and assault that is rampant in Delhi (just as it is in so many major cities around the world) and also provide survivors with ways to seek justice.
UNIFEM and Jagori are also working on initiatives to make Delhi safer for women.
