DCW’S 181 helpline saves daughters from being raped by father

NEW DELHI: Delhi Commission For Women’s (DCW) 181 Helpline and mobile helpline programmes on January 19 came to the rescue of two minor girls who were being raped by their father in Delhi.

The incident took place in Bawana and was brought into the notice of Delhi Commission For Women when the neighbour of the accused on hearing some noise got alert and informed the DCW over 181. The accused dragged both his daughters into a room and ill treated them.

The father who works as a labourer is addicted to alcohol and gambling and is accused of physically assaulting his wife and harassing his two daughters.

DCW’S 181 Women’s Helpline team immediately alerted the Delhi Police and a counsellor of the Mobile Helpline Program of the Commission reached the spot and counselled the girls.

The accused father was arrested after his daughters came forward to file a complaint.

On counselling, the girls informed that their father raped the elder daughter who is 17-year-old a year ago and the younger 14-year-old daughter on Diwali. She alleged having been raped several times by her father since Diwali. They were also threatened to not inform anyone about this.

In a tweet, Swati Maliwal, Chairperson, DCW said: “An FIR has been filed against the father and the girls have been sent to a shelter home.”

Despite the denial of salaries to the contractual employees of the DCW’S 181 Women’s Helpline by former Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, the commission has turned out to be a lifeline for women in the Capital.

The salary denial has not affected the work the employees do and they still continue to manage serious complaints like sexual harassment, attempt to rape, stalking, obscene calls, domestic violence or kidnapping.

Maliwal also appealed the general public to report incidence of violence against women and girls to the 181 Women’s Helpline Number.