Domestic Violence Act fulfilling its purpose

Law ensures battered women need no longer feel unsafe in their own homes

A counseling session in progress at a Santhvana Kendra in Koramangala, Bangalore

By Shraddha Choudhury

BANGALORE (Sept. 22)—The city has seen an increase in the number of domestic violence cases, but not for the reasons you might think.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005, which safeguards the rights of women who are victims of violence of any kind within the family, has created a quite a difference in people’s view of such violence.

Between December 2007 and April 2009, an average of 14 domestic violence cases were being registered per month, whereas the comparable figure has now risen to 30-35 cases.

Awareness of law spreading

“Earlier, people didn’t file any complaints mainly because they didn’t know about the existence of such a law,” said Aslam Mohammed, assistant director of Karnataka Women and Child Development Department.

“Now that they know there is an act that is meant specifically for victims of domestic violence, they come forward and file complaints,” he said.

Efforts have been made to familiarize women with the law, thereby increasing their awareness about it.

“Santhvana Salaha Kendras, Stree Shakti Groups and Gram Services have all helped spread awareness about this act,” Mohammed said.

5 protection officers appointed

The act appoints exclusive protection officers to look into the grievances of the victims of domestic violence.

“About two months back, five protection officers were appointed in the district of Bangalore,” said Aslam Mohammed.

The act specifies that the protection officers appointed shall, as far as possible, be women, and that any information about domestic violence, including reports from third parties, may be given to the concerned officer of the area.

It is the duty of these officers to submit the domestic incident reports to the concerned magistrate. They must ensure the victims’ safety by making a safe shelter available to them whenever required, and also by providing them with proper medical attention.

“Earlier, child development project officers were also substituting as these protection officers, but now we have officers appointed specially for this purpose,” he said.

Help lines for women available

Apart from protection officers, Santhvana Kendra help lines play a major role in supporting these women.

Complaints may be filed to the Santhvana Kendras by domestic violence victims themselves and also on behalf of them. The lines were set up by the Women and Child Development Department.

When a complaint is filed, the kendras:

• Provide counseling to the family, or specific members of the family.
• Provide the women with temporary shelter, if required.
• Provide vocational training to the women to help them become independent and help them find employment.
• File cases with the appropriate court when required
  

Located at Koramangala, Bangalore, Janodaya Santhvana Kendra is one such help line.

Beena Dayanand, an advocate and legal consultant at the Janodaya Santhvana Kendra, believes in “reuniting” the affected couples and families through counseling, rather than filing the cases to court where they are likely to separate.

“We advice the couples and try our best to make them reach a compromise and stay together,” she says.

Apart from domestic violence, the kendra deals with a variety of other cases like dowry issues, property issues, child custody and also monthly maintenance issues.

A victim of domestic violence, Sunanda B., said that the kendras are very involved in supporting victims like her. They counsel all those who get affected by such acts of violence.

“Though they should take better action against such men, they are trying to help women like us,” she said.

Dayanand expressed mixed opinions on the Domestic Violence Act.

“We have the act to help these women, but it can be put to use better,” she said.

The protection officers often have other responsibilities and cannot provide the time that these cases deserve, she said.

To avoid protracted litigation, Dayanand prefers sorting out as many issues as possible as an alternative to registering the reports with a court.

Combined effort

The kendras, groups and protection officers all work together to help the victims and bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice.

From April through the end of August, 319 cases were registered by the protection officers in Bangalore, of which 268 have gone to court. The subjects involved in the remainder are still under counseling by the officers and kendras.

Knowing that they are protected by law and can seek help, women in Bangalore can now feel safer than ever before.