Public Hearing on “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence-Bangalore A Public Hearing on “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence,” held on 27th August 2014, at Kengeri, Bangalore. An Information Camp on the issue was also inaugurated at the Public Hearing. More than 300 women from Kengeri and Mariyappana Palya attended this Public Hearing. Setting the tone of the Public Hearing Honorable Justice Nijagunavar, Member Secretary, Karnataka State Legal Services Authority who inaugurated the Information Camp said, “A major reason for women being subjected to domestic violence is the lack of that awareness among them on the provisions of the `Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The purpose of this Act will be fulfilled only when its benefits reach women at the grassroots level. ” He also urged women from marginal communities to speak out against violence and said, “Most domestic violence victims do not speak out because they fear it will be detrimental to the institutions of family and marriage and continue to wage a lone battle against social norms”. In Bangalore Urban there are six Protection Officers to look into the grievances of domestic violence victims. Apart from Protection Officers, Santhvana Kendra’s help line (1091) is also available where complaints can be filed by the victim or by someone else on her behalf. In this context Krishna, Deputy Director, DWCD, Bangalore Urban said, while the Act has given women the confidence to come out in the open and report the case because it was hassle free, many may not want to go to the police or approach the court. In such situations, they have the option of approaching Protection Officers who will guide and educate them on the legal provisions of the Act. Taking this forward Kamalamma, Protection Officer said, “We support families to solve problems through counseling. If the couple are open to counseling we mediate and settle the case there itself. However, there are instances when we have to take legal action and initiate criminal proceedings. In some cases, we also provide protection to the victim from the nearby local police station. This Public hearing was jointly orhanised by Sahaya Single Window Bangalore, Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), Vijaya Mahila Sangha, Swathi Mahila Sangha, Jyothi Mahila Sangha, and Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR).
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 09:48:32 +0000
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