Crimes against women in India are on the rise says Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.
Since 2013, the number of cases of crimes against women being registered in police stations, has risen across the country, he said.
He asserted that, rather than drawing comfort from more crimes being reported, the police should instead focus on prevention and deterrence.
Women’s safety is on the top of government’s agenda. Indian police machinery is working with meager facilities but the government is undertaking all efforts to modernize the police force. It has been made compulsory for police to lodge a complaint filed by a woman.
— Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs
Sensitizing forensic scientists on the need for a victim-centric approach in handling sexual assault cases is important, he said. Callous handling of crucial forensic evidence, lack of sufficient training in gathering, analyzing and presenting forensic evidence - often lead to acquittals in cases of crimes against women, as the forensic evidence is shown to be weak.
Rejiju also emphasized the importance of forensic services to clear pending cases faster, especially crimes against women.