WAD calls to empathise victims, victims' families of VAW
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 25 2014: Against the backdrop of rising crimes against women including rape and murder after sexual assault, Women Action for Development (WAD) has called upon all sections of the society to understand the condition of the victims' families of such crimes while also drawing the attention of all concerned towards this end.

Addressing a press meet today at Manipur Press Club in connection with the International Fortnight Observance protesting Violence Against Women, WAD secretary Sobita Mangsatabam said that violence against women and children in the State is rampant.

The cases of violence against women rose rapidly over the past few years in the State.

As such, it has become pertinent for all to reflect whether victims of such crimes and their families get justice they deserve.

It is also equally important to assess and understand the economic condition, the reason for denying or delaying justice and the psychological wellbeings of the victims and their families, she said.

Many of such victims have sold their homestead lands in their quest to get justice and treatment of health problems.

Some victims' families led isolated life while many suffered from mental depression.

Some rape victims loathed men for the rest of their life.

As such, it is now time to study the condition of such victims and their families, Sobita said.

Saying that the graph of atrocities against women in the State has been rising, Sobita pointed out that there were nine reported incidents of rape in 2010, 13 in 2011, 24 in 2012, 24 cases in 2013 and 42 in 2014 (till November 24) .

In 2010, there were four reported cases of murder after sexual assault, two such cases in 2011, four cases in 2012, three cases in 2013 and four cases in 2014 (till Nov 24) .

In 2010, there were ten reported cases of murder of women, five cases in 2011, 22 cases in 2012, 14 cases in 2013 and 20 such cases in 2014 (till Nov 24) .

These figures are based on reports published in Imphal-based daily papers, Sobita said.

In all the cases, 199 women were victimised.

Families of the victims are affected by the crimes.

199 accused persons are also affected by the crimes.

Many of the accused persons' families were banished from their localities which have negative bearings on the study of many children of the accused families.

Most of the houses of the accused persons were also vandalised by mobs, she added.

Such crimes have not only affected the victims' parties but also the accused persons.

Therefore efforts to prevent violence against women, swift action of police to prevent damage in the aftermath of such crimes, speedy trial and availing timely justice are equally important, Sobita pointed out.

WAD would observe International Fortnight Observation protesting Violence against Women from November 25 till December 12 under the theme 'Justice' this year.

WAD would organise painting competition for students from Class VIII to X as part of the fortnight observance, according to the WAD secretary.

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