Delhi still not safe for the fairer sex

The Delhi Police’s annual statistics on crime against women suggest that the national Capital continues to be vulnerable for the fairer sex.

The Delhi Police’s annual statistics on crime against women suggest that the national Capital continues to be vulnerable for the fairer sex.

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Despite police’s claim of undertaking several initiatives to curb crime against women, 2011 witnessed 568 cases of rape compared to 507 in 2010, an increase of 12.03 %.

Similarly, 653 cases of molestation were registered with the police last year while in 2010 only 601 cases were reported. However, cases of rape per lakh population have shown a steady decline in Delhi, coming down from 4.42 per lakh in 2005 to 3.39 per lakh in 2011.

Claiming that the detection rate in rape cases was high in 2011 at 98 per cent, BK Gupta, Delhi Police commissioner, said that out of the 568 reported cases of rape, offenders in 554 cases were either related or known to the victims. "Thus it is seen that these are opportunistic crimes committed in private spaces," Gupta added.

In order to make Delhi safer for women, the police would deploy more women police personnel. “We have established women-centric police stations in north and south campuses. In 2011, 460 women constables were imparted commando training with 25 being imparted advanced training by the CRPF,” he said.

Gupta further added that orders have been issued to BPOs and other offices to take steps for safety and security of women. Surprise checks are also being conducted at bus stops, markers and cinema halls.