The Delhi Government’s ‘181’ helpline for women in distress, which was launched in the wake of the December 16 gang-rape, has received over 6.75 lakh calls since its inception.
This means the helpline has been receiving over 1,800 calls on an average per day. The helpline was launched on December 31 last year to help women in distress and check increasing rate of crime against the fairer sex. As per data available with The Pioneer, the helpline has received 6.75 lakh calls till date. The sheer volume of calls made on this helpline indicates that cases of sexual harassment and domestic violence have been on the rise in Delhi.
The coordinator of the helpline, Khadiza Farukhi said that they have received a large number of complaints related to domestic violence, obscene calls, mental harassment, sexual abuse, sexual harassment. Farukhi said that a total 6,62,986 calls have been received. Of these, 3,87,653 calls attended and 2,75,333 calls were abandoned. She stated that 5,894 calls have been received on domestic violence, 6,715 on obscene calls, 737 on sexual harassment, 322 on missing persons and, 1,733 on sexual abuse. The coordinator said that it has also decided to include men’s issues and their calls in the helpline for the first time.
Farukhi said that 7,392 calls have been referred to ‘100’ (Delhi Police) and 6,575 cases to ‘1096’ (anti-stalking helpline). All stalking-related complaints are being forwarded to the police for action. Over 10,330 cases has been referred to various police stations, 396 cases to DCP and ACPs of various districts.
The motive behind starting the helpline was to assure women that there was a round-the-clock helpline to attend to their complaints immediately and also take corrective and effective actions. The 24-hour helpline follows every complaint with immediate intervention. The cases are sent to various service providers of the helpline such as the Delhi Police, Delhi Mahila Aayog, Delhi legal Services Authority, major Government hospitals, labour Department, etc.
After the fall of Sheila Dikshit Government, there is apprehension among those running the helpline whether the new regime will extend its support. “There is a sense of insecurity among the staffers of the helpline after political uncertainty in Delhi. There are 17 staffers who are running the helpline,” said officials.