Staff shortage hampers registration of cases

Chittoor: District is reportedly lagging behind in implementation of the Domestic Violence Act due to shortage of staff. A person can seek justice and rehabilitation under the Domestic Violence Act-2005 if victim was sexually or physically harassed, tortured and abused.

Officials concerned have received 1,018 petitions till today from 2007 onwards in which 515 cases were resolved by the Protection Officer through counseling and convincing the both parties. About 370 cases have been filed in the court in which final orders were given for 104 cases and 168 cases are still pending.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Project Officer S Lakshmi, who is holding additional charge as ICDS Project Officer and also Protection Officer of the Domestic Violence Act, said it has become a herculean task for her to justify the three assignments.

Legal counsellor Rekha and social counsellor Suguna are now looking after cases filed under domestic violence. At present, a data entry operator and two home guards are working in the wing. Staff said that they did not receive salaries for the last five months.

There are no shelter homes for the women victims of domestic violence in the district. Number of domestic violence cases were reduced over the years as the wing is ineffective. The Domestic Violence Act can be implemented effectively by giving wide publicity and appointing additional staff with prompt payment of salaries.