Domestic violence rises

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Despite being the most developed district in the state when it comes to literacy, education, health and money power, the incidence of domestic violence is increasing in Ernakulam district.

The social welfare department alone received 330 complaints in 2011-12.

The number of cases will be much higher if the cases registered at police stati-ons, legal cells and service providers are considered.

“Incidents of domestic violence are increasing drastically in the district. Many incidents have gone unreported as victims still don’t know where to make the complaints," said additional district magistrate, E. K.Sujatha.

According to social welfare department officials, more cases are coming in from Muvattupuzha and Perumbavoor areas.

“Many victims, especially from financially poor back grounds, were hesitant to approach the police or authorities or family counsellors for the fear that they would be thrown out of their homes or deprived of food”, said Simna.C, protection officer, social welfare department.

The social welfare department’s initiative to help victims of domestic violence by providing them financial assistance failed to reach the beneficiaries for want of awareness and clauses in the government rules which hindered the sanctioning of aid.

Though 300 complaints of domestic violence were reported from the district, only six people were awarded financial help out of the eight applicants.

According to social welfare department sources, they hardly get time to find the beneficiaries and inform the people about the financial grant.

“The government issued a notification in January this year that incidents of domestic violence which occurred after November 24, 2011 only would be considered for action. So many beneficiaries lost the chance to apply for benefit as the service providers and department authorities failed to alert the people about this notification,” said Sujatha.

This is the first time that the social welfare department is providing financial aid to victims of domestic violence after the Domestic Violence Act came into force in October, 2006.

Apart from department officials and legal counsellors, there are more than eight NGOs who make women aware about domestic violence.

“We have deci-ded to monitor the work of NGOs and family counsellors and have directed the authorities to submit mon-thly reports about their service,” said Sujatha.