According to the Delhi Police data, more than 1.4 lakh calls were received on the women’s helpline number 1091 in the year 2022 as compared to 1.6 lakh calls in 2021. A further analysis reveals that 40 per cent of those calls were related to domestic violence, 30 per cent of stalking or molestation and others were for miscellaneous reasons.
Many reasons were cited for the dip in the number of calls, one of them being increase in patrolling in areas where most of the crime-related calls came from. In order to curb crimes against women, 15 mobile patrol vans (MVPs) for women have been deployed along with refresher programmes for training the female personnel from the police department.
When a call is received on the helpline number 1091, it is immediately transmitted to the concerned MVP. The vehicle responds to the call, reaches the spot and meets the complainant/victim. The response of the MVP is closely monitored by officers deputed for each MVP. Presently, 45 women personnels are appointed for the 15 MVPs.
Additionally, a desk under the supervision of an assistant commissioner and one inspector (woman) will be constituted for the supervision and monitoring of the deployed female staff. The desk will also keep tabs on women’s MVPs, their response time and may also call the caller to understand whether they were satisfied with the assistance by the police personnel.
If you are depressed and need any kind of support, the helpline number is 14416.