661 domestic violence cases reported during lockdown

The department made the submission through an additional status report filed before a division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice Anita Sumanth, in response to a plea moved by advocate Sudha Ramalingam citing increase in domestic violence during the lockdown. The petition said most protection officers in the State were inaccessible and there were no transport facilities to rescue victims.

The status report added that a WhatsApp group, ‘Thai Veedu’, was formed with Social Welfare Department secretary, Commissioner of Social welfare, all district social welfare officers and protection officers to discuss and take appropriate action on the calls of domestic violence.

The 616 calls were received by protection officers and Anganwadi workers through helpline numbers 181, 1091, 100 and 112. The district Legal Services Authority of various districts have publicised the WhatsApp number of Legal Services Authority secretary, contact numbers of district social welfare officers, district child protection officers and special police officers to register complaints. The 111 contact numbers of family counsellors appointed as temporary protection officers have also been publicised to receive calls from victims, who were provided counselling.

The department added that the petitioner may provide inputs through email after going through the contents of the report, and assured that they would be attended to. The bench posted the plea for further hearing to June 5.