Ker govt launches WhatsApp number to report domestic violence during lockdown
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said complaintscan be made to the number-- 9400080292--, which will beavailable 24 hours.
"In the wake of reports of an increase in domesticviolence during the lockdown, the Social Justice Departmenthas been urged to take immediate steps to prevent them.Subsequently, a WhatsApp number was launched to make it easyfor women and children to complain," Vijayan said in aFacebook post.
The 24-hour helpline has been started by theDirectorate of Women and Child Development with the help ofthe technical cell of the National Service Scheme.
"Similarly, complaints can be made on the child linenumber 1098 and women helpline Mitra's number, 181, and sternaction will be taken in the matter," Vijayan said.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has received123 complaints of domestic violence in the last 18 days, withthe panel saying it has observed a spike in such cases duringthe lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus.
According to the data shared on Friday by the NCW,from March 23 till April 10, a total of 370 complaints relatedto women issues were received by the panel.
Of the 370 complaints, the highest 123 were ofdomestic violence, the data said.
The NCW had also launched a WhatsApp number --7217735372-- to report cases of domestic violence.
The NCW said the whatsapp number is in addition to theonline complaint links and emails which are also operational.
India is currently under the biggest lockdown witharound 1.3 billion people asked to stay home in view of thecoronavirus outbreak, which has claimed nearly 200 lives andinfected more than 6,400 people. RRT SS