HYDERABAD: After the State government reimposed the lockdown, domestic violence cases have started going up in all parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad. Hyderabad has recorded a total of 3,211 domestic violence cases, in May 2021 alone, as against the 3,190 cases this time last year.
While 982 cases were reported in Hyderabad commissionerate limits, Cyberabad recorded 1,157 cases and Rachakonda reported 1,072. Meanwhile, a total of 7,618 cases have been reported in Telangana.
A report by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies stated that most victims lodge complaints by directly approaching the SHE Team offices, and sometimes via WhatsApp. However, 31 per cent of the victims preferred reaching out to the SHE Teams by dialling 100.
Addl DGP (Women's Safety Wing) Swati Lakra, who also heads the SHE Teams in Hyderabad, said: "Due to the imposition of a strict lockdown in the city, most cases are getting reported via Dial 100, which are later connected to nearest stations, SHE Teams and Sakhi."
Sharing details about the telecounselling which would be introduced soon, the officer adds: "A telecounselling is being planned for those who are affected by domestic violence, with the assistance of psychologists. The major aim behind this is to provide the victims psychological support. They will also get assistance on the future steps they decide to take and required support."
The officer also pointed out that it is mostly because they manage to provide proper counselling soon after registering cases that survivors don’t go through similar situations again. Talking about the same, Vasuprada Kartik, one of the counsellors working for the SHE teams, mentioned about the components of addiction which are more likely amongst the lower-middle class.
Vasuprada, who has been chronicling numerous calls within the city limits, added: "The pandemic and lockdown have had a telling effect on relationships. Most of the time, it is couples married for quite some time who report domestic violence cases."
"Aggressive personality is also one of the components in the behaviour of the abuser. It is due to sharing space between them. The young couples are deprived of expectations. The lockdown has left giant and small families in confined space. This too is a reason," she added.
While those who didn’t put much effort on their relationship are facing difficulties, the ones already on good terms are enhancing it further now. They emphasised on the need for the intervention of neighbours in case of emergency.