According to the official data by the National Commission for Women (NCW), there was a 30 per cent rise in complaints of crimes against women in 2021 as compared to the year 2020. From July to September 2021, over 3,100 complaints were received every month, a number that was last seen when the #MeToo movement peaked in November 2018.
Of the 31,000 complaints received last year, around 11,000 were related to the right to live with dignity that accounted for emotional abuse, followed by domestic violence at 6,633 and dowry harassment at 4,589.
The state of Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of complaints of crimes against women at 15,828, Delhi at 3,336, Maharashtra at 1,504, Haryana at 1,460 and Bihar at 1,456. According to the NCW data, the highest number of complaints related to the right to live with dignity and domestic violence were received from Uttar Pradesh.
NCW chief Rekha Sharma had earlier stated that the rise in complaints is a result of widespread awareness. “Also, the commission has always made it a point to launch new initiatives to help women. Keeping in line with this, we have launched a round-the-clock helpline number as well to provide support services to women in need where they can also register a complaint,” Sharma said.
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