WCD ministry developing mechanism for online registration of cyber crime complaints

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development today said it was in the process of developing an online mechanism for lodging of cyber crime complaints which would become operational in the next three months.

The WCD Ministry is in the process of developing an online Central Reporting Mechanism for cyber crimes so that they can be registered anywhere anytime.

This was decided at a roundtable discussion, chaired by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, on the issue of cyber crime against women and children, particularly the elimination of online child sexual abuse material, rape imagery and other offensive material.

It was also decided during the discussion Gandhi had with stakeholders on the issue that a mechanism was needed for real time removal or blocking of offensive material online, a ministry statement said.

Speaking at a press conference on the achievements of her ministry in the past four years, Gandhi proposed that her ministry would fund training for creating experts who would work in the Home Ministry's special anti-child pornography unit.

Calling stopping pornography her "pet project", Gandhi said that the ministry would also be funding and carrying out a public media campaign to tell people what they can do and what they cannot do.

It was also decided during the roundtable discussion that efforts in the direction of bringing changes required in the legal framework, training and building capacities of police personnel and judiciary and increasing awareness among public would be redoubled.

Gandhi, at the press conference, listed various initiatives taken by her government towards protection of women and children, including inclusion of acid attack as disability in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, expansion of child line and development of forensic facilities for rape victims.

She said that a first-of-its-kind online reporting and complaint management system for cases of sexual harassment at workplace was launched in 2017. Around 191 complaints were registered on the portal and the ministry took action on them.

Gandhi said an advisory has been issued to all state governments to increase representation of women in police to 33 per cent of the total strength. The 33 per cent reservation has been extended in 10 states and 7 UTs.

She also said that a report has been prepared based on the study of the condition of women and children in prison. Recommendations will be made to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Supreme Court in this regard.