Technology to the rescue

Much has been said and written in the past two weeks about safety of women in our cities. Once the dust settles down and the emotions subside, we need to take some real measures to prevent crime against women. Indian movies are full of depictions of horrendous villains getting after the heroine , but in the nick of time, hero comes to the rescue, much like Krishna Paramatma comes to the rescue of Draupati.

Can it  happen in the reality, that help arrives in time to bring the culprits to book, before a crime takes place, rather than after ?

In my school forum (an all boys school) I came across a post which I cut and paste , complete with credits.

		Date : Dec 31, 2012 From : Prabhu Andrews Lazar (2009), 1990 Batch To : All Subject: Prevent crime against women Message:
		Tech Mahindra had developed an application called “FightBack” – which was being used only by the staff members of Mahindra Group. After the gang-rape of a woman in New Delhi; it has now thrown open this smart phone application for public use, beyond Mahindra employees. The FightBack application tracks a user's location and sends SOS messages to selected contacts in case of an emergency. This application is now available for download on the company website for free & IS ONLY FOR INDIAN MOBILE NUMBERS. The FightBack app allows the user to press on a panic button whenever he/she feels unsafe. It tracks the location using GPS and alerts chosen contacts about the location map and is available on Android and Blackberry. http://www.fightbackmobile.com/ Steps - How to download the application 1 - Register yourself or login through Faceback with Post click. 2 - After the successful Login in the portal, Click to Download. 3 - Enter the mobile number on which you want to deploy for the Fight Back application. 4 - Select your handset on which you would like to download the application from the device list. 5 - Click on Download button, and you will receive the link to download via SMS. 6 - By clicking on the downloadable link within the received SMS your application will start downloading.

I went throgh the site and the app looks promising.
a message from the site/
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FightBack, the women's safety application, sends SOS alerts from your phone. FightBack uses GPS, SMS, location maps, GPRS ,email and your Facebook account to inform your loved ones in case you are in danger. Join us and help make our streets safer for women. 
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The second issue is awareness. While most TV channels were focussed on India Gate (War Memorial), I switched to Doordarshan for other news. The channel was educating the viewers on Women's legal rights, in  a kind of Presentation format in English and Hindi. Much of this information was new to me and I am sure it would be for many of our citizens.

After some googling I found similar contents here

1. Free Legal Aid

Always be accompanied with lawyer when you go to file a complaint or FIR against any mis-happening. Because being in the world of MEN, a woman is never taken seriously and sometimes even the FIR is not lodged. Also, as per the Delhi High Court ruling whenever a rape is reported, the SHO should inform this to the Delhi Legal services Authority. The Legal body then arranges a Lawyer for the rescue.

2. Right to Privacy while recording Statements

In any case if a woman finds inconvenient to record her statement she can always do the same in presence of only one Police officer and a lady constable in a less crowded place so that no fourth party can overheard. Also it is the duty of Police to keep the privacy of a woman intact and closed. Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a woman who is raped records her statement in front of the Magistrate when the case in under trail and no one else is needs to be present.

3. Time doesn’t Matter

Filing a FiR by rape victim or someone who is molested has no time boundary. As noted rape is a very severe thing that can happen with a woman and if she reports about it later, her appeal cannot be rejected on the duration of time as after the incident many are in shock or in danger of their family’s reputation or else other reasons.

4. Email to the Rescue

As per the recent report by the Delhi police, if any victim cannot comes to the Police Station she can any how email or file a written complaint and post it to the Head Police officer who will then direct the SHO of the area to look into the matter and also register a FIR against the crime. Also, the Police will then go personally to the residence of the victim and take the statement.

5. Cops Can’t Say NO

A victim can report a FIR in any police station under the Zero FIR ruling. As per the Supreme Court, if a police station refuses to lodge the FIR, a woman in that case can register the same in any police station and then the Senior Officer will direct the SHO of the concerned area to take actions.

6. No Arrest after Sunset

A woman cannot be arrested after sunset and before sunrise. All the dealings should be done in the day time in presence of a woman constable. Many complaints about women being mis-treated at police station has been called, so now women should be aware and act, as per Supreme Court ruling. If under special and urgent cases a woman has to be arrested after sunset, the Police needs to get a special in written warrant by the magistrate.

7. Cannot be called to the Police Station

Any woman who has faced harassment cannot be called to the Police Station. Her statement should be recorded at her residence in presence of a woman constable and her family. Under Section 160 of CPC, a woman cannot be called for interrogation in Police Station. A woman should not be physically present in the police station.

8. The Doctor can’t decide

A case of rape cannot be declined on the base of denial by a doctor. A full report has to be given in case of a crime of rape happens. A rape victim should be examined medically as per the Section 164 A of Criminal Procedure Code(CrPC), and only the report acts as a proof.

9. Protect your Identity

Under no circumstances the name of the victim can be revealed. Neither the Police nor the media can publish or leak out the name. The identity remains intact and if the identity is disclosed it is punishable as per the Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code.

10. Employers must protect

It is a necessity for every Employer to create a Sexual Harassment Complaint Cell within the organisation for the redressal of such complaints. It is as per the guidelines of Supreme Court issued. It should be headed by a woman and should be 50% as women. Also, a woman of women welfare group should be present.

So at any moment, if you fee that you are harmed or harassed or you face any difficulty in your path, never forget to launch on your rights and get what you should. JUSTICE.