Wardha Police

Eve Teasing
Living Alone
Rape
Domestic Violence
Help Lines
Marriages
Reporting Dowry Harassment

Eve Teasing & Beyond - Eve Teasing

Streets, bus stands, railway stations, parks and other public places should be for everyone to access and enjoy. Yet for many women they are the scenes of harassment. Everyday women face systematic assault on their fundamental right to free movement and personal dignity.

The problem:

As Seema walks down the street, a group of men makes comments about her face and figure--"Hey, what a figure!" "Is it 32 or 36!" She walks on without comment annoyed at the intrusion. Then the comments get nasty--"you bitch!"

Sudha is standing in a queue for a bus. Suddenly she feels a hand grab at her breast. She looks around but isn't sure who did it. She feels violated and too stunned to say anything.

Kavitha notices a man following her on the way home from work. He stays quite a distance back but is there day after day. One day he comes closer and calls out. She is afraid and changes her route and travel time to avoid him.

Sexual harassment at public places is unwelcome, unsolicited behavior of a sexual nature including staring, gesticulating, touching, passing comments, trailing. These may not seem to be a big problem, but they can be quite upsetting. It makes women feel ashamed, humiliated or frightened.

Myths associated with sexual harassment at public places:

Wearing certain kinds of clothes lead to sexual harassment

This is a myth. Several studies done around the world show that women of all ages and wearing all kinds of clothes are vulnerable to harassment.

A study done by NIPPCID for Delhi Police showed that 82% of the women who were part of the survey were wearing everyday, non-provocative clothes when they were harassed (salwar kameez, trouser –top, saree)

Is harassment only done by some kinds of people

This is a commonly held perception. The issue is not of one's class but of one's mindset, which allows one to harass women believing that women are easy targets

How to deal with sexual harassment:

It is not possible to have one single strategy to address this. It is important to make a judgment on the spot depending on the context.

Learn to say ‘NO' loudly and clearly. Prepare a stock sentence (like “Stop staring at me”) and practise saying it to yourself until it becomes a reflex. If you are harassed, repeat it again and again till you feel confident to use in public place.

Learn to communicate confidence in yourself. Look straight at people who accost you and speak clearly and calmly in response. Show others that you are aware of your rights and space.

If you are in a bus the driver & conductor can be approached for complaints. As per law they should assist the victim by accompanying them to the nearest police station.

Carrying with you safety pins and learning self defence techniques can be helpful.

If you are being harassed regularly it is better if you inform the same to your parents/friends. It can be therapeutic and supportive. Many women face this problem and understand what you are experiencing.

What men can do to stop harassment

Don't do it yourself. Learn about the problem so that you become more sensitive to what might offend others.
Don't cooperate with groups of men who harass. Act to frustrate or oppose harassment. Don't cooperate with harassment. Refuse to join in.
At a suitable occasion, raise issues about sexual harassment.
Show your opposition strongly
If you notice a situation where a woman seems to be being harassed, you may be able to help her
If someone is badgering her, you could go over and ask "Is someone bothering you?" If a woman in a crowd shouts out about being pawed, you might be able to voice a supportive comment to the crowd, such as "Whoever did that, it's not welcome."

Eve Teasing & Beyond - Living Alone

IF YOU ARE A SINGLE WOMAN

India's new worldly women, the country's younger generation is shedding submissive attitudes, aiming for higher education, careers, and longs for freedom and want to live independently. A number of sociological studies show that young Indian females now prize financial independence, freedom to decide when to marry and have children, and have glamorous careers. The boom in software industry especially BPO's has given employment for not so qualified girls also.

Single women still an oddity in India. But young, single Indian women face different challenges than their male peers. Renting an apartment is the major difficulty for them as the owners tend to think that she will bring plethora of male friends home. However, we thought we should guide all those who prefer to live alone.

Some precautions for the single women

Always take an apartment/house after recommended by known people and take their opinion about security and safety in that locality.
Bring in your family members/ relatives/friends and introduce them to your landlord/neighbours. Give them signals that you have strong ties/connections.
Be friendly with your neighbours and share about your work life with them. They can be supportive to you.
Be vigilant about men hanging near your apartment/house for many days together and if necessary confront them along with your friends.
The place where from you buy groceries, give clothes for ironing, buy vegetables, do not give too much information about whereabouts/ personal life. At times it can be misused.
Try to keep a helper/maid at home. It lessens the tension of being alone all the time.
Get new locks or have the tumblers reset when you move into a previously occupied dwelling.
Don't hide a key outside the door, under mats, flowerpots or under rocks. If you want extra keys nearby, leave one with a trusted neighbour.
Make sure you have good, safe locks on all doors. Lock all doors when you go out, even if it's for just a minute.
Be cautious when strangers enter your home. Use a peephole or look through a window to check. If you must talk to a stranger, never open the door wide.
Report broken streetlights in your neighbourhood. Well-lit areas discourage burglars and teasers.
Don't give information to strangers over the telephone. On wrong number calls, don't give the caller your number. Report continued wrong calls to the telephone company.
Don't give your computer password or other pertinent information to others.
If possible, use metal grillwork on entrance doors.
Report any strangers loitering in your neighbourhood or people asking vague questions about your neighbours.
Use lights effectively, leave several on in different areas of the house when you go out.
A safe inexpensive window lock can also be made.
Leave a radio playing quietly when you go out to give the impression that someone is at home.
Remove your name and address from any magazines or papers before discarding them.
Shred all papers that contain pertinent information about you and members of your family.
Keep few valuables in your apartment.
Check references of maids, cleaning women or anyone else who may have to work inside your apartment while you are away from it.

Better safe than sorry

Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone.
Do not get into an elevator if there is someone it in with whom you are not comfortable.
Do not stand in the corners of the elevator, be near the front by the doors, ready to get off.
Continuous eve-teasing by local should be notified to the police.
If stalked, walk to the local police station. Change direction of walking and never enter a lonely area.
Always keep your distance when walking past stranger on the street or in dark areas.
Get a cell phone. Keep it charged.
If you are walking alone in the dark or in a lonely area, and you find someone stalking you, scream and then run!
Offending phone calls and mails from anyone whom you don't like should be clearly avoided. Be polite and firm. If he doesn't stop, report it to the police.

At social gatherings (parties)

Youngsters of present generation should always be conscious about what they are doing. They should select only safe modes and safe places for partying.
When making plans to go out for the first time, consider meet your friends at a public place. Also let someone know whom you are meeting and where you are going.
Young women in social events should never leave their beverages (drinks) unattended.
Try to move with the people whom you know very well.
Never let the strangers know your personal details at any cost.
Never ever fall in the trap of drugs and other intoxicating substances.
While trying to build up relationship online, do not under any circumstance, reveal any personally identifiable information in your profile, personal ads, or private e-mails.
Never get lured by the unknown 'friendship clubs'. They might drag you into sleaze world.

While exercising outdoors

The most important thing you can do is stay in well- travelled residential areas. Avoid isolated areas.
Never wear headphones while walking or jogging outside. It not only increases the likelihood that you will not hear someone approach from behind
Always assume hostile intent from strangers and keep your distance. Remember many attacks are preceded by one of these three questions. May I use your phone? What time is it? And 'Do you know how to go to... ?

Self protection techniques

The eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body. Poke the attacker there and you have possibly your only window of opportunity to escape.
Aim for the groin area. A hard kick or a knee jammed into your attacker's groin will temporarily leave him unable to attack you.
The neck is also a vulnerable spot, but have you know where to grip and you have the strength to cut off his breath.
The last place is the knees. Everyone's knees are vulnerable and a swift kick here will get anyone down.
Take a self-defence course and carry pepper spray if you wish, but don't let either give you a false sense of security. Better to avoid areas where an attack can take place.
Don't depend on a dog to protect you all the time. If you are single and have a dog let it be trained professionally to defend you.
Finally, remember assuming that none of this will ever happen to you is ridiculous. No one expects it. But we must be aware and prepared.

Eve Teasing & Beyond - Rape

IPrathiba Murthy, a BPO employee in Bangalore was raped and murdered by a taxi driver.

The principal of a government school in north Delhi raped a Class 10 student of the school. The principal, who was also the girl's private tutor, took the girl to three cronies of his. The four eminently respectable men - a school principal, a vice-principal and two businessmen - gang raped the 16-year old girl during the night. The next morning they sent her back to her parents.

Banwari Devi, a dalit and working as saathin in government programme of Rajasthan was gang raped by a dominant caste in front of her husband. She was preventing child marriages amongst Gujjars. The perpetrators thought she must be "taught a lesson..."

For every twenty six minutes a rape is committed in India and out of which 30% are against minors.

Some precautions for the single women

Rape/sexual assault is one of the ugliest and most brutal expression of masculine violence against women. Rape is a violent crime, an Invasion and a frightening experience. Rape affects all women, no matter what their age, caste or economic status.
Rape is not sex but violence on women/girls
Rape/Sexual abuse makes women feel humiliated and degraded
The rape or the threat of rape always makes women feel unsafe and forced to remain alert all the time
All women are potential victims of sexual assault. By being aware, a woman can reduce the likelihood of becoming a rape victim.
This does not mean all rapes can be prevented. If at all a rape is committed, the victim and people around her should address the trauma by remembering that

Psycho-social trauma of a rape victim:

Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone.
The victim faces degradation and social unacceptability. "It is a deathless shame or living with death"
It does not only victimise her, but it also leaves a lifelong stigma on the character and dignity of a woman, causing her and her relatives, pain and agony.
In the case of an unmarried woman, the stigma acts as a hurdle for a married life and she is looked as an outcaste. For no fault of hers she has to endure all the pain, shame and misery.
The married woman loses the love of her husband and her restoration in the family is jeopardized. The family members never show a positive approach to her. Even children lose the trust and security they reposed in her.
For fear of blame, rape victims often remain reticent and withdrawn. Many a time, they attempt to commit suicide out of grief and self-contempt.

How to report rape to Police

Do not shower, wash, or change clothes

Some precautions for the single women

Do not shower, wash, or change clothing
Have a medical exam and internal gynaecological exam as soon as possible. A delay in time may destroy evidence
A female doctor must take semen smears
Inform female doctor of exact acts committed upon you and have the doctor note any medical evidence of them.
This does not mean all rapes can be prevented. If at all a rape is committed, the victim and people around her should address the trauma by remembering that
Female doctor should note any bruises or injuries bleeding, lacerations, etc. external or internal
Have test for venereal diseases (and pregnancy later, if relevant)
Do not disturb the scene of the assault
Inform police of all details of attacker like his face, language, did he receive any calls, his vehicle number and of anything unusual you may have noted about the attacker
Remember what the person said and how it was said. It may lead to the arrest of the assailant
Show police any external bruises or injuries, however minor, resulting from the attack
Police will request your clothes for purpose of evidence
Inform the police if you remember anything that was not previously reported

Description of the attacker

Type of vehicle used by the rapist (if known - license, make or model and colour).
Age, weight and height
Hair colour and length
Colour of eyes
Clothing
Any unusual marks, scars, tattoos, ring, etc
Any facial hair
Type of accent (Any strange or distinctive odour)
Last direction of travel

Domestic Violence

Nearest Police station

Protection officer (Project director women and child welfare department of the Dist) Contact your local protection officer
Service provider (appointed by the State Government)
Magistrate
Nearest protection office or service provider to provide shelter in a shelter home. List of Shelter homes
Nearest protection office or service provider to provide any medical aid
Application to Magistrate
For payment of compensation or damages
Right to reside in a shared house hold
Protection order
Prohibiting committing any act of domestic violence
Aiding or abetting
Entering the place of employment
Or she is a child its school
Attempting to communicate in any form including personal, oral , written, electronic or telephonic contact

Alienating any assets

Operating bank lockers, bank accounts used or held or enjoyed by both the parties jointly with her or single Stridhan
Causing violence to the dependents to her relatives or any person
Any other act
Residence orders
Monetary relief
Custody orders
Compensation orders

If you are facing Domestic Violence

Within the four walls of homes, the violence against women is quite high. Domestic violence against is widely prevalent, but has remained largely invisible. Statistics reveal that 45% of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. (ICRW 2002) .32% had committed acts of violence against their pregnant wives. Every 60 minutes a woman dies in India due to domestic violence. Women accept violence because social norms sanction them. At the same time, cultural conditioning and economic dependence prevent the vast majority of women leaving their marital homes. Though there is criminal law to prevent domestic violence, the recent civil law “Protection of women from Domestic Violence” is aimed at providing relief, compensation and support to a woman.

Your husband or partner commits any of the following acts of violence against you or your child

Verbal and emotional violence

Insult –not attractive, not smart, doesn't respect him/his parents
accusing/insulting your parents
Name – calling
Accusations on your character or conduct etc
Insult for not having a male child
Insults for not bringing dowry etc
Preventing you or a child in your custody from attending school, college or any other educational institutions
Preventing you from taking up a job
Forcing you to leave your job
Preventing you or a child in your custody from leaving the house
Preventing you from meeting any person in the normal course of events.
Threat to commit suicide

Economic Violence

Not providing you money for maintaining you or your children

Not providing food, clothes, medicines etc, for you or your children
Stopping you from carrying on your employment
Not allowing you to take up on employment or
Taking away your income from your salary, wages etc
Not allowing you to use your salary wages etc
Forcing you out of the house you live in
Stopping you from accessing or using any part of the house
Not allowing use of clothes, articles, or things of general household use,
Not paying rent if staying in a rented accommodation etc.

Physical violence

Slapping
Beating
Hitting
Biting
Kicking
Punching
Pushing
Shoving or
Causing bodily pain or injury in any other manner

Sexual Violence

Forced sexual intercourse
Forced you to look at pornography or any other obscene pictures or material
Any act of sexual nature to abuse humiliates or degrade you, or which is otherwise violating of your dignity or any other unwelcome conduct or sexual nature

Remember the Govt recently enacted Domestic Violence Act.

Salient features of the DV Act are:

Whom to report domestic violence incident

If you don't have shelter

For medical facilities

Obtaining orders or relief

PWDVA seeks to cover all those women who are or have been in a domestic relationship with a man including live-in relationships, bigamous marriage and fraudulent marriages.
The Act gives the women right to reside in the shared household.
Protection orders can be given by the magistrate immediately to stop violence.
It provides counseling for both parties singly or jointly.
The act stipulates that within 3 days the case has to be registered and in 60 days all requisite relief measure to be given.
Nearest Police station
Protection officer (Project director women and child welfare department of the Dist) Contact your local protection officer
Service provider (appointed by the State Government)
Magistrate
Nearest protection office or service provider to provide shelter in a shelter home. List of Shelter homes
Nearest protection office or service provider to provide any medical aid
Application to Magistrate
For payment of compensation or damages
Right to reside in a shared house hold
Protection order
Prohibiting committing any act of domestic violence
Aiding or abetting
Entering the place of employment
Or she is a child its school
Attempting to communicate in any form including personal, oral , written, electronic or telephonic contact

Alienating any assets

Operating bank lockers, bank accounts used or held or enjoyed by both the parties jointly with her or single Stridhan
Causing violence to the dependents to her relatives or any person
Any other act
Residence orders
Monetary relief
Custody orders
Compensation orders

Important Phone Numbers

Police Control Room

100

Women Helpline Telephone No

1091

Telephone Numbe

+07152-232500

Marriages

Signs of A Cheating Husband

One of the most common ways you can detect if your partner is cheating is by looking out for changes in his day to day routine and behaviour. If your partner is having an affair it is quite likely that he will start acting differently. This is because we all settle into certain routines when things are regular and normal so it is only natural that if something changes in our lives then things get thrown off course and we start doing things differently. These changes in your husband′s routine can be giveaway clues that he′s seeing someone else but can be so easily missed.

Have you detected any of the following?

Has he become short tempered with you or children?
Does he want to be out more now whereas before he was happy to be at home with you?
Does he stay awake later a night? This may be so that he can phone, SMS or email ′her′ once you′ve gone to bed or simply in the hope that you′ll be asleep before he gets into bed.
Suspicious cell phone behavior - Has he become possessive of his cell phone? Does he keep it close by whenever you′re nearby? Men who cheat use their cell phone to communicate with the other women. Unless they are totally stupid and use their home phone number. Look for him erasing his call logs and messages constantly.
Does he insist on answering the phone and talks in coded mode if you are around or feels uncomfortable by your presence?
Has he become more possessive toward his wallet, pocket calendar or briefcase?
Has he started avoiding you in the home? Doesn′t look into your eyes straight?
Does he go out for longer and more frequent walks?
No more arguing - Has he become docile when arguments arise? Men do not like confrontation when they are cheating, they will do whatever it takes to avoid any type of heated confrontation.
Has he lost interest in things he used to be passionate about, say a particular sport or a particular hobby?
All of a sudden has he starts talking about getting together with old friends he hasn′t seen in years and about whom he has never spoken of to you?
Have you noticed him suddenly being more knowledgeable about women′s clothing, perfume or jewelry? If so he could be buying gifts for another woman.
Has he started to take an interest in something that you know he was never previously bothered about?
Has he stopped leaving his clothes lying around or started doing any of his own washing, maybe because there are revealing smells or marks on them?
Has he started encouraging you to go alone to visit parents or friends now a days?
Has he started attending extended seminars/official/business trips or going on tours he never used to attend and go before with that frequency?
Did he remember things he had forgotten to do at the office and wants to leave immediately at odd hours?
Does he forget to wear the wedding ring sometimes?
Does he make a point of keeping the car/bike free of things belonging to you or the kids?
Has he has started keeping an overnight bag in his car or office, apparently for a workout?
These signs of a cheating husband appearing now and then may not mean anything in isolation, but if you notice a number of them happening with a pattern, you should take them as a warning signs that there′s probably something wrong going on. You must take corrective steps to save your marriage.

Alcoholic Husband

Alcoholism is a universal phenomenon. Down the centuries, numberless women across the globe have been coping with husbands who come home drunk, bash their wives and children and make everyone′s life miserable. However surprisingly most women timidly adjust to their husbands′ ways rather than raising their voices in protest. Maybe they have their own difficulties and ways of dealing with the problem but if your alcoholic husband is abusing you then it is time that you put an end to this evil and fight courageously against this addiction and save you and your family.
Guidelines for Helping Your Alcoholic Husband:

Acquire proper attitude. It is difficult to help people who sense that you despise them and do not care for them and respect them.
Alcoholism is an addiction to a drug. Therefore willpower is not enough; proper therapies are needed and consult a proper rehabilitation center or counselor.
Confront your husband with the fact of the disease, and offer a possible solution. Alcoholics never get well unless given a chance.
Make your alcoholic husband responsible for his actions. Every time you make excuses for him or shielded him, you have just paid for the next drink.
Use all the alcoholism resources available. It is a complex illness; it needs a network of people to treat it. Take into confidence some of your husband′s closest friends (non -drinkers) and ask them to persuade your husband to relinquish the bottle. Most men brush aside the appeal of their wives but pay heed to their friends′ advices.
Never give up hope; never be discouraged. Even if your alcoholic husband does not recover at this time, the seed has been planted. It may bear fruit sometime in the future.
Alcoholism is a family disease; all family members are affected; all need treatment.
Do not leave him alone. Always keep supervision on him. Accompany your husband to all parties and gatherings to keep a vigilant eye on him. If he is under supervision he will not to exceed the limits.
Try to avoid the parties where your husband will be forced to drink by his friends.
See that your husband′s salary directly comes into your bank account so that he shall not have access to money to spend on drinks.
Try to find the root cause of the problem. Try to have a heart-to-heart talk with him in order to gauge the root cause of his addiction.
- Once the causes are discovered, ways and means could be devised to solve the related problems.

Reporting Dowry Harassment

What should your complaint include?

Details of marriage including wedding card, marriage certificate, photos, videos etc.
Name(s) of accused persons and their details like addresses and passports etc.
Details of harassment like duration, time period, place and type of harassment.
Details of demand of dowry, if any.
Bank statement, if you have drawn dowry from the bank.
Details of the cheque if you have paid the dowry in that form.
Details of the person to whom it was handed over.
In case of physical violence, details of injuries and type of weapon.
Doctor″s prescription or case sheets of the treatment of such injuries.
Details of the elders who had arranged the marriage and who tried to patch up the differences.
Places where the mediation/counselling sessions were held.
Details of witnesses, especially independent witnesses and your own children.
Any written agreements during marriage.
Details of gifts in the form of movable property like jewels/cash/garments/vehicles and immovable property like plots/flats.
Any written/voice communication between the partners, the victim and the parents in the form of letters, emails, voice records etc.
Reasons for the delay in lodging the complaint, if any.
Signature of the victim and contact number.

Help us prevent abuse of 498(A) and strengthen your case:

Always remember! No counselling is better than the couple and their kids thrash it out among themselves.
To err is human! Mistakes can take place from both the sides. One should not misuse any law to cover one′s own mistake.
Try counselling on both of you before you decide to knock the doors of police station.
Never exaggerate what had happened to you. In other words, be clear, frank and specific about the issue.
Never include the persons who are NOT connected with the harassment. Be honest.
Always remember! 498A is not a law to take revenge but punish those responsible for harassment severely so that others learn a lesson.
There are many vested interests around to take undue advantage of your helplessness. They might misguide you by exaggerating the facts, adding those who are unconnected with the harassment to the list of accused, exaggerating the amount of dowry etc.
Should you need help in expressing your woes, please take the help of reputed voluntary organisations or help lines only. Avoid the unscrupulous persons who always promise you to get your dowry amount back and extort money from the accused side and dilute your case.
Ensure your presence while someone drafts the complaint for you and ask him to read it out before you lodge it in the P.S.
Some victims are misguided to exaggerate the contents of the complaint in order to make it a STRONG case. The truth is entire strength of the case hinges on quality of evidence that is provided by the victim. If the contents of the complaint are not supported by the facts on the ground, cases become very weak and genuine victims suffer.
If any policeman or the officer concerned demands money for investigating the case and arrest the accused, do not give in. Bring it to the notice of his or her superiors.
Never forget that both the daughter and daughter in law deserve similar affection and care.
Remember! 498A is not a tool to force the other party for divorce. There are so many of other legal procedures to find solutions to the incompatibilities in the marriage.
498A is also not a tool to get the custody of children. There are other alternate legal methods for this.
Never force the police to arrest the accused on same day of lodging complaint as gathering credible evidence takes some time. However, you can help the police expedite the investigation by providing most of the evidence at the time of lodging complaint itself.
If you have the information that the accused are planning to leave the country, you can always bring it to the notice of the concerned investigating officer without delay. Police can alert all the international airports or sea ports for their detention, if needed.
If you are a parent, lodge a complaint only after you ascertain the facts in detail from your daughter. Her statement is vital for the investigation.
Conviction rate in 498A cases is very poor in the country as a whole. There are many reasons for this. You can help us improve this by NOT retracting during trial from what you have said during investigation.

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