Support scheme for rape victims launched
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 08 2012: Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai has introduced a novel scheme christened Financial Assistance and Support Service to Victims of Rape with a view to ameliorate trauma and social stigma generally endured by rape victims.

On the occasion of launching the scheme at her office chamber in New Secretariat today, AK Mirabai handed over Rs 70,000 each to four rape victims including two disabled girls.

The new scheme is fully sponsored by the Centre.

The four beneficiaries were recommended by district level Child Welfare Committees.

All the four girls who were given financial assistance are in the age group of 6 to 13 years.

Three of them belong to Imphal East district while the fourth is from Bishnupur district.

Speaking about the new scheme, Minister AK Mirabai said that the scheme is aimed at reducing the psychological disturbances and trauma generally endured by rape victims and also to bring them back to mainstream society.

Although the scheme has been already launched in mainland Indian States, Manipur is the first state in the North East to launch the scheme.

Saying that the scheme would encompass all the victims of rape, Mirabai lamented that the State had to forgo Rs 16 lakhs which was entitled to the State under the same scheme due to late submission of formal application.

Nevertheless, the State would ensure that it get its due share from this year.

As for the amount given to the four girls today, it was given from the account of Social Welfare Department.

To implement the new scheme effectively, Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation Boards have been constituted both at the State and district levels.

The Chairperson of the State level board would be the Social Welfare Commissioner and its Member Secretary would be the Social Welfare Director.

The DGP, the Health Director, representatives of the State Legal Service Authority, Law Department and women social workers would constitute other members of the board.

For the district level boards, respective DCs would be the Chairpersons whereas DSWOs/DPOs would be Member Secretaries.

Members would include SPs, DMOs, representatives of the district legal service authorities and women NGOs.

Rape victims may file complaints at the State level board or the district level boards or the Social Welfare Department within 60 days counting from the day of incident together with FIR case numbers and medical check-up reports.

Despite the scheme, all the citizens need to join hands and fight against such crimes, Mirabai asserted.

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