A seminar on the legal aspects related to atrocities against women jointly organised by the District Legal Services Authority and the Kochi City Police was held on Thursday.
The seminar was aimed at creating awareness among police personnel, including women, on legal aspects related to atrocities against women, the punishment for such offences in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), prevention of sexual assault and explanation and interpretation of offences and provisions for punishment under IPC.
District and Sessions Judge P Ubaid who is also the Chairman of District Legal Services Authority inaugurated the event. City Police Commissioner K G James presided over the function. Advocate K R Mohanan led the session on legal procedures. He spoke about different types of sexual assault. “Rape is not the only harassment. Gestures, sounds and touch with sexual intention also come under the definition of sexual harassment and are seriously punishable,” he said.
If an accused in a case is found guilty, the court relies on several factors to determine punishment for them. The judges rely on several factors to determine a sentence. The criminal statutes uually set a range of punishments for sexual assault. This often consist of a maximum and minimum punishment, as well as fines and other penalties, said Adv Mohanan.
“The court also examines aggravating and mitigating factors while deciding on the exact terms of the sentence. Aggravating factors include criminal history of the accused and the severity of the crime that suggest a need for a harsher punishment,” he said.