PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry police have set up a Rape Crisis Intervention Centre (RCIC), a one-stop help centre for victims, Inspector General of Police Praveer Ranjan said on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters here, Praveer said the centre would have one police officer, medical officer, legal officer/legal assistant and a psychologist for counselling so that the victim need not go to a police station to seek help/assistance.
The IGP said the victim could avail herself of all the help required at one place, and if the victim desires to use the facilities from home or the place of her choice, the respective personnel would provide her door service. He added that such one-stop help centres were already in existence in Delhi.
The IGP said necessary instructions have been sent to Departments of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare and Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Praveer Ranjan reviewed the cases registered under POCSO Act in police stations of all the four regions for the year 2013 and 2014 (upto August 26). A total number of 8 cases was registered in 2014 as against the 34 in 2013, he said.
In respect to rape cases, a total of three cases was registered in year 2014 upto August 26, as against 11 the previous year.
Eight cases of human trafficking were reported of which five were under investigation. And, three cases, including the high profile incident of 157 Sri Lankan Tamils departure to Australia to seek asylum there has been cracked.
The IGP, explaining with statistics, said the the crime rate had dipped. He said there were many cases of domestic violence reported in the rural areas and all police officers should be sensitive and extra vigilant in the women- and children-related cases.
The IGP said self-defence courses with the help of NGOs would be conducted at schools and universities on a regular basis and also, a one-day workshop would be conducted with all officers/police personnel in association with the officials of departments.
Asked about the proposed recruitment of 100 women constables, Praveer Ranjan said the criteria for physical fitness for recruitment would be relaxed this time.
He pointed out that the criteria were so tough that only 15 women could make it to the selection for the final round.