INDIA TO ADOPT US MODEL IN TACKLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

India is hoping to take a cue from the United States in tackling domestic violence cases.

In an effort to minimise state intervention in implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has now mooted a proposal to encourage NGOs to provide assistance and shelter to victims.

As of now the Domestic Violence Act expects the state to appoint protection officers who coordinate between courts, police and support services for enabling women’s access to justice.

The programme envisages a domestic violence intake centre established by an NGO which is housed with-in the court premises and works in collaboration with police, prosecutors, NGOs and the court. The victims can approach a domestic violence intake centre or a police station and the victim is assisted in getting an ex-parte temporary protection order within two hours which is valid for 14 days. During the period the victim is provided with shelter, transport, legal assistance, custody of children depending on her needs.

A senior ministry official said that efforts were being made to involve more NGOs. "It has been seen that NGOs are sensitive to the victims’ needs and unlike state appointed protection officers are able to dedicate themselves completely to the implementation of the act," he said. The official added that the state and ministries would monitor
the implementation.