: IPS Officers Chuppi Todd Campaign Protects 100s of Women From Domestic Violence #IndiaNEWS #Civil Servants Jaya (name changed) from Raipur made several attempts to draw her neighbour’s attention

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IPS Officers Chuppi Todd Campaign Protects 100s of Women From Domestic Violence #IndiaNEWS #Civil Servants
Jaya (name changed) from Raipur made several attempts to draw her neighbour’s attention towards her abusive husband. While beating was not a new phenomenon, the lockdown limited her options to get help.
Earlier, she would walk out of her small shanty in the slum or at least visit her relatives for a few hours. But because of social distancing protocols, no help came forward.
This is a story common for thousands of households across India, where a woman is forced to stay at home with her abuser so that she is ‘safe’ from coronavirus. Ironical, isn’t it?
But, what about domestic violence, the silent epidemic that has amplified since the lockdown due to reasons like loss of livelihoods and closure of liquor shops?
With the high risk of transmission of a deadly virus, how would a woman approach a police station or seek medical help in case of an assault or mental trauma when she is obligated by the state and public health guidelines to stay at home with her abuser?
No doubt, the victims can take help through the government helpline services and NGOs, but are these enough to stop the abuse at a time when stepping outside is a threat in itself?
When IPS Arif Shaikh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Raipur was faced with such hard-hitting questions in March, he immediately chalked out a comprehensive strategy to address domestic violence without the need for the victim to visit a police station.
Under the ‘Chuppi Todd’ (Break the Silence) initiative, Shaikh has rolled out a WhatsApp number (94791-91250), where women can lodge complaints with the police and seek help.

Once the complaint is made, the police visit the victim’s house instead of calling her to the police station. The aim is to take preventive measures and action against the culprits instantly.
Take, for instance, the case of Jaya, who immediately called the police and reported her husband. After counselling, she was sent to her relative’s house.
The IPS officer has formed four on-field teams, each consisting of four women constables, and another team that receives complaints. Based on the urgency of the matter, the remotely operating team informs the on-field staff, who then visit the victim’s home.
“We had imposed a lockdown as early as 13 March, and within a few days, the women’s cell (181) got a barrage of calls reporting abuse at home. There was almost a 30 per cent rise in such calls, which was very shocking. After recording two gruesome incidents, we realised the gravity of the problem and the fact that it is a long-term issue. Within ten days, we rolled out a plan to tackle this,� Shaikh tells The Better India.

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