Spl. courts, teams, aid among slew of steps planned for protection of women, children

Emphasising the need for social consciousness and responsiveness to atrocities against women and children, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called for the public shaming of the perpetrators.

“You (women) should spit on their faces and express disgust towards their actions. People who resort to cruelty against women don’t deserve any respect. A sexual offenders registry would be prepared on the lines of rowdy sheets and their names would be published online so that everyone hates them,” Mr. Naidu said and cited the case of Dachepalli in which police’s thorough search operation and loathing shown by the entire village led the culprit to end life.

He was speaking at the ‘Adabiddaku Rakshaga Kaduludam’ programme organised here on Monday.

Mr. Naidu further said that the menace of porn sites must be addressed effectively. “I will write to the Centre regarding this menace,” he said.

He said that special teams involving officials of over 10 government and non-government organisations, including Police, Women and Child Welfare and Panchayat Raj would address the issues at the grassroot level.

“Special courts to deal with atrocities against women will be set up. Special police cadre for women and juvenile police cadres will be formed. For the victims, an organisation will be floated and funds will be allotted. They will be taken care of by the government,” Mr. Naidu said.

“In a month’s time, we will go through all the existing laws and strength them,” he added.

‘Problem of men’

Activist Sunitha Krishnan appreciated Mr. Naidu for supporting the cause which is not the case in other States. Suggesting solutions to end the problem to Mr. Naidu, she said, “We have failed for centuries because the problem has been seen wrongly. It is not the problem of women, it is problem of men. An exclusive campaign to teach men and boys on how to behave will be better.”

DGP M. Malakondaiah stressed the need for breaking the culture of silence. “Ninety-five percent of the atrocities against children were committed by relatives, friends and neighbours. If this problem is not addressed, it will cripple the society in future. To serve justice within the time frame, we need to improve investigation techniques. We will soon get a forensic lab that will help investigations. The department will ensure only DSP-level officers take up cases of crime against women and children,” he said.

State Women’s Commission chairperson N. Rajakumari, bureaucrats, students and others also took part in the programme.