Why in the News?

• The Bihar government has decided to appoint 140 full-time 'protection officers ' in the state to provide more effective assistance to women affected by domestic violence .

Key Points:

About the issue:

=> The Social Welfare Department has decided to create a separate cadre under which security officers will be appointed at the sub-division, district and state levels.

Objective:

=> To effectively deal with the rising cases of domestic violence.

=> To provide protection to women from domestic violence and ensure protection of the rights granted to them by the Constitution.

Level of placement:

=> Security officers will be appointed at the sub-division, district, and state levels.

=> A total of 140 security officers will be appointed :

• 101 at the sub-division level
• 38 at the district level
• 1 State-Level Security Officer.

Responsibilities of the Security Officer:

=> To protect the rights of women under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 .

=> To assist the Magistrate in his duties.

=> To get the physical injuries of the victim, the woman was medically examined and sent the report to the concerned police station and magistrate.

=> Ensuring compliance with economic relief orders under Section 20 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

                                                                                         Domestic Violence Act, 2005:

Introduction:

=> This is an important law to prevent domestic violence against women and provide them legal protection.

Objective:

=> The purpose of this Act is to protect women from violence in their homes or any other private place and to provide them protection of their rights. Different types of domestic violence:

• Physical violence:
  • This includes physically hurting the woman.
  • Examples: Slapping, pushing, hitting, etc.
• Sexual violence:
  • This includes misdeeds like sexual harassment or rape of a woman.
  • Example: Forced intercourse, and other sexual offences.
• Emotional abuse:
  • This includes harming the woman’s mental state and self-esteem.
  • Example: Insulting, betraying, intimidating, or making the woman feel mentally weak.
• Social and economic control:
  • This includes isolating the woman from her family and friends, socially isolating her, or confining her against her will.