Govt. will set up rape crisis centers: Maneka Gandhi

Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Monday said that her ministry will be setting up rape crisis centers to help and provide assistance to women in trouble.

"We have taken this very seriously. It is my number one priority to establish functioning rape crisis centers. These centers will be serviced by policemen, lawyers and doctors," said Maneka while responding to questions on Badaun Gangrape case.

She also said that these centers will provide short stays for women in trouble, and added that there will be a provision for an ambulance which will pick up any woman who rings up.

"Badaun was a terrible case. It was symptomatic of what is happening all over the country. If you ask why a man or a boy rapes a woman, then the answer to it would be because they can. It means that there are very few support services available for women- medically, legally and in any other form," Maneka added.

Last Tuesday, two young dalit girls were found hanging from a mango tree in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh, the next day after they were raped and murdered. Meanwhile, police have arrested five main accused, including two policemen, in connection with the crime.