Increase in domestic violence cases: NCW

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 2

The National Commission for Women on Thursday said a trend of increase in the number of domestic violence cases against women was observed since the lockdown.

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said she was receiving emails from women which read that they were trapped in their houses with their spouses due to mobility restrictions in view of Covid-19.

Data reveals that the number of online complaints under the head of “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence” have more than doubled between March 24 and April 1. The lockdown week saw 69 complaints as against 30 complaints in the early weeks of March.

Over 257 complaints were filed between March 24 and April 1 as against 116 filed between March 2 and 8.

“We have addressed all cases of domestic violence received during the lockdown period. We engaged family members of the victims and tried to make them see the point in treating women with dignity,” Sharma said.

She said women in distress were unable to move out or call the police because their psychosocial support systems had crumbled during lockdown. “We are ensuring that no complaint goes unaddressed,” NCW chief said.

Out of the 257 complaints, maximum grievances have been reported from UP (90) followed by Maharashtra (18), Madhya Pradesh (11), and Delhi (37), Haryana (9), Punjab (5), and Chandigarh (3).