Association formed to fight for rape victims

Dharna Chowk: Women workers of different organisations came together and formed an association 'We Want Justice' soon after a protest at the Dharna Chowk here on Monday.

"We Want Justice will stand by every victim until justice is done," said Rala Lakshmi Yadav, vice-president, BC Welfare Association's women's wing.

"Rape is the fourth most common crime against women in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Nearly 25,000 rape cases are reported every year since 2012 and 98% of the cases were committed by someone known to the victim. We demand a law which saves women from all inhumanness," she added.

A large number of rape cases go unreported in various places due to many reasons including family reputation, fame and lack of awareness on rules and laws, said Gampa Subalakshmi, a woman activist.

"Government of India reformed its penal code for crimes of rape and sexual assault after the Nirbhaya case but there is no implementation of law anywhere. If we are regulating a law to bring out change in society, we must stand for it and assure the implementation," opined the activists.

The women activists objected to lodging the child accused Praveen in jail. "He must be punished for his cruel and criminal acts without any complications or investigations as he is openly proved guilty. Law must be stronger, in a way that men shiver to touch a woman without her consent, said Padmaja, a woman activist.

"The government launched the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO). The database contains entries of offenders convicted under charges of rape, gang rape, POCSO and eve teasing. The portal as of now contains 440,000 entries of cases that have been reported since 2008.

If Nirbhaya law was implemented, why we observe growth in the entries of cases, why rapes are happening still? If the government stands strong against the crimes then India will become safe country for women," Alaya Bavya, another activist said.