Swati Maliwal, chair of DCW: Government must be viewed as standing with survivors rather than rapists

Swati Maliwal, the chair of the DCW, recently traveled to the violent Manipur, where sexual attacks on women exposed the worst side of society. Swati Maliwal advocates for the need to increase the nation’s resources to take up the fight against crimes against women in an exclusive conversation with The Statesman.

What were your main observations from your recent visit to Manipur?

 

Manipur is now on fire. 60,000 people have been forced to relocate, hundreds are missing, and numerous individuals have died. In Manipur, cases of horrifying sexual assaults are being lost in government records. Even though FIRS are challenging to register, over 6,600 FIRs have been filed in a brief three-month period.

 

I went there to meet the victims, grasp their hands, and show my support for them. I also wanted to see whether they had gotten any help. We went to Churachandpur, where shootings were ongoing. When I visited a survivor’s mother and husband, they sobbed uncontrollably and complained that no government representatives, not even the chief minister or cabinet minister, had ever spoken to them or offered them any consolation or compensation. This kind of situation occurs all throughout Manipur. We learned about the suspected murder and gangrap of a 24-year-old woman in Imphal. A FIR has not yet been filed.

These situations recur often and need to be taken extremely carefully.

I presented a comprehensive report with over 24 suggestions to the president and prime minister of the nation. One of the main suggestions is to impose President’s rule in Manipur and to ensure that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers go to Manipur and take action.

 

 

What adjustments do you believe might be done to improve Delhi’s system for women?

 

Six incidences of sexual assault are recorded each day in Delhi. DCW, the Delhi Commission for Women, is in charge of all of them. Support is being given right away. This includes making sure the FIR is filed, that the medical examination is conducted correctly, and that our attorneys are present in court to support the survivor throughout the trial.

 

What actions are required to support and assist the victims of heinous crimes?

 

First and foremost, the police’s equipment has to be improved. Second, the police’s accountability has to be improved. After the Nirbhaya case, the case of Anjali Singh was the first in which action was done. To ensure the certainty of sentences, the forensic department has to be enhanced.

To create a stronger legal system and ensure survivors get justice, more courts and judges should be created.

The need for the government to seem to be helping the survivors is another worry. Ram Rahim has been found guilty of rape, however he is often excused from punishment. Therefore, the government must show great support for the survivors and not the rapists.

 

What recommendations would you want to provide to the women who, due to social pressure, are unable to speak out about their sufferings?

 

A. If you are a victim of sexual abuse or exploitation of any type, I would want to make a strong plea to all women and even men in our nation. The first step is to come out bravely. If one woman stays silent now, someone else could have to deal with it tomorrow. Therefore, continuing the struggle is morally required, both to oneself and to society as a whole. In Delhi, they may dial the women’s hotline at 181, and there are helplines for other states as well. They may contact us by email at [email protected] as well.

 

What assistance does DCW provide for calls coming in from other states?

 

A. The Superintendent of Police is contacted right away to assist the caller. DCW receives many calls from victims who either haven’t gotten assistance or aren’t aware of their state’s helplines. So the team reacts right away and helps with contact with the relevant state.