3. November 2022

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Rechtsvorschriften zur Ermittlung, Strafverfolgung und Ahndung von familiärer bzw. häuslicher Gewalt 

„Funktionsweise“ von Behörden, Polizei, Gerichten, vor/während/nach Einbringung einer Anzeige wegen familiärer/häuslicher Gewalt 

Opferschutzmaßnahmen: Informationen zur tatsächlichen Verfügbarkeit (dauerhafte Plätze in Frauenhäusern, Schutzmaßnahmen wie Kontaktverbote oder Wegweisungen, spezialisierte Beratungsstellen, etc.)         

 

Die folgenden Ausschnitte aus ausgewählten Quellen enthalten Informationen zu oben genannter Fragestellung (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 3. November 2022):

Rechtsvorschriften zur Ermittlung, Strafverfolgung und Ahndung von familiärer bzw. häuslicher Gewalt

Die meisten Informationen zu Rechtsvorschriften im Hinblick auf häusliche Gewalt beziehen sich auf Gewalt durch den Ehemann und durch die Familie des Ehemanns. Der Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 hingegen beinhaltet eine umfassendere Definition von Tätern häuslicher Gewalt: „[…] any adult male person who is, or has been, in a domestic relationship with the aggrieved person and against whom the aggrieved person has sought any relief under this act”; Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Abschnitt 2 (q), vollständige Quellenangabe siehe S. 9) und inkludiert zusätzlich zu körperlicher Gewalt auch emotionale, verbale, sexuelle Gewalt und wirtschaftliche Ausbeutung (ICRW, 2007, S. 220).

 

Die Onlineplattform SoOLEGAL, ein Verzeichnis für Rechtsanwälte und Anwaltskanzleien, erklärt in einem Artikel vom September 2020 zur Gesetzgebung gegen häusliche Gewalt in Indien, welche Gesetze im Zusammenhang mit häuslicher Gewalt, die vom Ehemann oder der Familie des Ehemanns ausgeht, zur Anwendung kommen können:

·      SoOLEGAL: Laws against domestic violence in India, 3. September 2020
https://www.soolegal.com/roar/laws-against-domestic-violence-in-india-1

„There are several laws in India which directly deal with the protection of married women from her partner and her partner’s family.

[1] -Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005

This is an act of the Indian Parliament enacted to protect women from Domestic Violence. It prohibits a wide range of Physical, Sexual, Emotional & Economical abuse against women and all these are broadly defined under the Act. It provides security to women in a family from men in a family. The extent of the Act covers not only the protection of women who are married to men but also women who are in Live-in-relationship, just as family members including Grandmothers, Mothers, etc. A women has right to be liberated from any type of violence under this Act. Under this law, women can look for security against Domestic Violence, Financial Compensation, Right to live in their mutual house and they can get maintenance from their abuser in case they are living separated.

This law is to guarantee that women don’t get kicked out of their own house and can support themselves if they have been abused. It also ensures the protection of women from their abusers. [Für mehr Informationen zum Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 siehe unten, unter Opferschutzmaßnahmen.]

[2]- Section 498A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code)

This is a Criminal Law, which applies to husbands or family members of husband who are merciless to women. Under Section 498A of the IPC, harassment for Dowry by the family members of the husband or by husband is recognized as a Crime. This harassment can be of any type either Physical or Mental. Despite the fact that Marital Rape isn’t considered as a Crime in India, forced sex with one’s wife can be viewed as Cruelty under this Section. Section 498A has a vast scope. It also includes any and all intentional behaviours against a women which force the women to attempt suicide or risk to life or grave injury or risk to limb or overall health. Here, health incorporates the physical and mental health of the women.

 [3]-Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

This is a Criminal Law that punishes the giving and taking of Dowry. The tradition of dowry itself is banned under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. According to this law, gives, takes or even demands dowry, they can be imprisoned for a half year (i.e. for 6 months) or they can be fined upto Five Thousand Rupees.” (SoOLEGAL, 3. September 2020)

Die Times of India, die größte englischsprachige Tageszeitung Indiens, berichtet im Jänner 2021 über den Fall einer Frau im Bundesstaat Gujarat, deren Vater ihr mit Mord gedroht habe. Die Frau habe sich an die Polizei gewandt, die eine Anzeige wegen krimineller Einschüchterung (complaint of criminal intimidation) aufgenommen habe.

·      TOI – Times of India: Ahmedabad woman alleges death threat by her father, 22. Jänner 2021
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/woman-alleges-death-threat-by-her-father/articleshow/80393894.cms

“[…] the daughter-in-law […] alleged that her father had threatened to kill her. Vastrapur police filed a complaint of criminal intimidation in this connection […]. Later, her father, 60, […] obtained an anticipatory bail in the case […]. As she feared threat to her and her mother’s life from the accused, she had demanded police protection after which DCP [Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anm. ACCORD] Ravindra Patel, deployed cops at her home […].” (TOI, 22. Jänner 2021)

Kriminelle Einschüchterung (criminal intimidation) wird in Abschnitt 503 des indischen Strafgesetzbuches von 1860 unter Strafe gestellt, Abschnitt 506 beschreibt den Strafrahmen für kriminelle Einschüchterung. Das indische Strafgesetzbuch von 1860 findet man auf der Webseite „India Code“, einer Datenbank für Gesetzestexte der Zentralregierung und der Bundesstaaten, die zum indischen Justizministerium (Ministry of Law and Justice) zugehörig ist.

·      Indian Penal Code, 1860, inklusive Novellierungen bis 4. März 2019
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2263?sam_handle=123456789/1362

„Section 503. Criminal Intimidation. Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation. […]

Section 506. Punishment for criminal intimidation. Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both;

If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc. and if the threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or [imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.” (Indian Penal Code, 1860, aktualisiert am 4. März 2019, Abschnitt 503, 506)

„Funktionsweise“ von Behörden, Polizei, Gerichten, vor/während/nach Einbringung einer Anzeige wegen familiärer/häuslicher Gewalt

Die Anzeige einer Straftat bei der Polizei wird in Indien in Form eines First Information Reports (FIR) eingebracht. Helpline Law, eine indische Online-Plattform, die den Zugang zu Anwält·innen erleichtern soll und auch Beiträge zu rechtlichen Fragen veröffentlicht, hat dazu im August 2022 einen Artikel veröffentlicht.

·      Helpline Law: First Information Report (FIR), 8. August 2022
https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/FIRT/first-information-report-fir.html

„It is the information recorded by the police officer on duty, given either by the aggrieved person or any other person about the commission of an alleged offence. Any person can file an F.I.R. He need not be the aggrieved person. This article also notes the procedure for filing an F.I.R. in brief. F.I.R. is the abbreviated form of First Information Report. It is the information recorded by the police officer on duty, given either by the aggrieved person or any other person about the commission of an alleged offence. On the basis of the F.I.R. the police commences its investigation.

WHO CAN FILE AN F.I.R.

Any person can file an F.I.R. He need not be the aggrieved person. It may be merely hearsay and need not be by the person who has had firsthand knowledge of the facts.

WHERE TO FILE AN F.I.R.

An F.I.R. can be filed in the police station of the concerned area in whose jurisdiction the offence has occurred. It must be made to the officer-in-charge of the police station and if he is not available, the Assistant Sub Inspector is competent to enter upon the investigation

HOW TO FILE AN F.I.R.

When a wrong has been committed and the aggrieved person or any other person wants to file a F.I.R. it shall be filed in the following manner.

1.       Go to the police station and meet the officer-in-charge.

2.       Step by step, in an orderly sequence, narrate to the officer every information relating to the commission of the offence.

3.       The officer shall reduce the information given in writing.

4.       The information given shall be signed by the person giving it.

5.       The information given shall be entered in a book to be kept by the officer.

COPY OF THE INFORMATION AS RECORDED SHALL BE GIVEN FREE OF COST TO THE INFORMANT.

WHERE AN OFFICER-IN-CHARGE REFUSES TO RECORD THE INFORMATION

If the officer in charge refuses to record the information, the information may be sent in writing and by post, to the Superintendent of Police concerned who, if satisfied that such information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, shall either investigate the case himself or direct an investigation to be made by any police officer subordinate to him.

INVESTIGATION

Once the F.I.R. has been registered the investigation in the case shall begin.” (Helpline Law, 8 August 2022)

Das indische, digitale Nachrichtenmedium Scroll veröffentlicht im April 2022 einen Artikel zum Thema häusliche Gewalt und thematisiert darin auch den Umgang der Polizei mit gemeldeten Fällen:

·      Scroll: In filing domestic violence cases, women face uphill battle against society and systemic pressures, 25. April 2022
https://scroll.in/article/1021713/in-filing-domestic-violence-cases-women-face-uphill-battle-against-society-and-systemic-pressures

„Every third married woman in India faces spousal violence but only one in 10 seeks any help, says a 2020 study […]. Worse, only 1% reported it to the police or healthcare personnel. […] One reason why women do not report spousal abuse is because it has been normalised – 52% women and 42% men think it is acceptable for a man to hit his wife ‘under certain circumstances’, the survey reported. Women seek help only when the violence turns severe and for those who approach the police and judiciary, the road to justice is long and tough. […]

Police prefer ‘samjhauta’

The section frequently used in the case of domestic violence is Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code that provides for the prosecution and punishment of the husband or his relatives for cruelty against the woman. It is a non-bailable offence where only a magistrate can grant bail but there have been some changes: the Supreme Court of India put an end to ‘automatic arrest’ for domestic abuse because of alleged misuse of the section. After amendments in 2018 and 2019, the police officers are asked to decide on the arrest. The police are reluctant to file a first information report, or FIR based on a woman’s complaints alone, counsellors told us. They believe that women will face prolonged hostility for daring to make an official complaint.

‘If the woman files an FIR against the whole family, they will all turn against her and the case will drag for one to two years,’ said J R Rabari, police inspector at Radhanpur. The police first visit the house of the aggrieved woman, enquire in the neighbourhood about the violence and then file an FIR, he said.

The police do everything in their power to ‘settle’ issues between the two parties, especially if children are involved, ‘Sabse accha samjhauta hota hai, [a settlement is the best solution],’ Rabari said. This tendency to push for mediation often hurts a survivor’s case – the police often call her in-laws and community leaders and pressurise the woman to not file an FIR, said counsellor Rana.

‘Section 498A not used often enough’

The number of pending cases under Section 498A have doubled in the 13 years to 2018, with an increase of 10% every year, as per an analysis by Factly, the data journalism website. The rate of conviction under the section too has been falling when compared to other Indian Penal Code crimes: for domestic violence the conviction rate in 2006 was 21.9% and this fell to 13% in 2018; for other Indian Penal Code crimes, the conviction rate increased from 42.8% in 2006 to 50% in 2018. […]

A 2012 analysis of over 100 cases filed under section 498A in Uttar Pradesh by Humsafar, the Lucknow based non-profit, showed that most women suffered domestic violence for an average of around two years before filing a complaint. On average, it took six months for the police to register an FIR before they attempted to forge a ‘reconciliation’. The report noted that the police and counsellors posted in the police station did their best to dissuade the women from filing a complaint. Also, most offenders got bail within a week of their arrest even if they had inflicted serious wounds. Even at the trial phase, 69 out of 105 cases were pending and among 36 on trial only two led to convictions. Delays were caused by attempts at mediation, poor investigation and prosecution and withdrawal of cases by women tired of the long delays. Of the 35 cases referred for mediation, 21 led to a compromise. This demonstrates that efforts are made at every step for a reconciliation; even in cases where arrest was immediately necessary, enforcement agencies attempted a mediation, the report noted.” (Scroll, 25. April 2022)

Behanbox, eine von Frauen geführte Organisation, bietet vor allem Journalistinnen aus marginalisierten Gemeinschaften eine Plattform. In einem auf ihrer Webseite veröffentlichten Artikel vom Juli 2022 wird über das Thema Gewalt an Frauen und den Umgang der Polizei mit Anzeigen berichtet.

·      Behanbox: Why Gender Crimes Need Exclusive not Segregated Handling by Police: Studies, 14. Juli 2022
https://behanbox.com/2022/07/14/why-gender-crimes-need-exclusive-not-segregated-handling-by-police-studies/

„Survivors of gender-based violence attempting to file an FIR face multiple barriers, including the fear of being stigmatised and humiliated, lack of resources, perceived impunity for perpetrators, poor awareness of services or access to them, fear of retaliation and discriminatory attitudes toward victims in law enforcement settings […].

[A] report also noted that the police, pressured by heavy workloads and authorities, discourage women from reporting crimes to maintain shiny statistics. All these factors lead to both the under-reporting and under-recording of crime and violence, said the study. […]

One in every five police personnel is of the opinion that complaints of gender-based violence are false and motivated to a ‘very high extent’, while almost an equal number believe this to be the case to a ‘high extent’, as per the Status of Policing in India Report, 2019 published by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). Male and female officials differ very little on this view.” (Behanbox, 14. Juli 2022)

Auf Grundlage des Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005, kann im Fall von häuslicher Gewalt ein Domestic Incidence Report (DIR) bei einem/einer Protection Officer aufgegeben werden. Nyaaya, ein unabhängiges, digitales Medium, das rechtliche Informationen allen Inder·innen zugänglich machen will, beschreibt in Kürze das Vorgehen, wenn eine Frau einen DIR aufgeben will.

·      Nyaaya: What is the Role of a Protection Officer, aktualisiert am 8. April 2022
https://nyaaya.org/legal-explainer/what-is-the-role-of-a-protection-officer/

„If you decide to file a domestic violence complaint, a Protection Officer (PO) is generally the first point of contact for you. Anyone, including someone you know, can visit, call, or write to a Protection officer in your district or an area nearby to complain against the violence and seek protection. To find a PO, you can:

·         Go to the nearest police station and ask them to put you in touch with a PO.

·         Call or go to the Department of Women and Child Development in your district.

·         Approach the National/State Women Commission. […]

·         Approach an NGO or a service provider.

Your complaint will be written down by the PO and you can ask for a free copy of this complaint to keep with you. Protection officers will help you:

File a complaint

The PO will help you file a Domestic Incident Report (DIR) which is a special report for cases of domestic violence which will have all the details of the harasser(s), the details of the victims, etc. They will also help you file a direct complaint with the Court and assist you in getting legal support.

Give Information to the police

The PO will forward a copy of the DIR as well as a copy of the medical report, if you were medically examined, to the police station located within the area where you faced violence. After this, the police will look into the matter and stop the harasser(s) from committing any acts of violence towards you.

Provide immediate protection and support

The PO will help:

·         Prepare a safety plan for you which will specify the measures required for your safety, and the orders you are seeking from the Court.

·         Get you and/or your child medical aid from a medical facility in case you have any injuries.

·         Put you in touch with service providers who will assist you with legal support, counseling, medical facilities, shelter homes, etc.

Inform you of your legal rights

The PO will discuss with you the different kinds of domestic violence with you to understand what you have been through. This will be recorded in the DIR. Afterwards, the PO will inform you of the rights and remedies you are entitled to under the law after filing a complaint.

Support you through Court processes

Protection Officers will:

·         Help you gain access to free legal aid through the District Legal Aid Services Authority.

·         Ensure that you and your children are not victimised or pressurised during the Court proceedings by the harasser.” (Nyaaya, 8. April 2022)

Etwas ausführlichere Informationen zu den Prozessen beim Aufgeben eines DIR und den Protection Officers finden sich im Anhang 4 zu einer Publikation des International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), die auch geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt behandelt.

·      ICRW – International Center for Research on Women: Reducing HIV stigma and gender based violence toolkit for health care providers in India, Annex 4: Overview of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, 2007, S. 214-222
https://www.icrw.org/files/images/Reducing-HIV-Stigma-and-Gender-Based-Violence-Toolkit-for-Health-Care-Providers-in-India-Annex-4.pdf

 

Die Society for Women’s Action and Training initiative (SWATI), eine Non-profit-Organisation, die sich für die wirtschaftliche Ermächtigung von Frauen einsetzt, veröffentlicht ein umfassendes Handbuch zum PWDVA. Dieses Handbuch enthält unter anderem einen Abschnitt zu häufigen Fragen:

·       SWATI - Society for Women’s Action and Training initiative: A Handbook on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, ohne Datum
http://www.swati.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Towards%20Violence-Free%20Homes-Reduced.pdf

 

Scroll veröffentlicht 2017 einen Artikel zum PWDVA und hinterfragt darin die tatsächliche Schutzfunktion des Rechtsaktes. Der Beitrag thematisiert auch die Aufgaben eines/r Protection Officers und berichtet von Abweichungen zwischen den Vorgaben des PWDVA und ihrer tatsächlichen Umsetzung:

·      Scroll: Twelve years since the Domestic Violence Act, how well do protection officers help women in need?, 28. März 2017
https://scroll.in/article/830882/twelve-years-since-the-domestic-violence-act-how-well-do-protection-officers-help-women-in-need

„Amina [ein Opfer häuslicher Gewalt durch ihren Ehemann, Anm. ACCORD] had to make multiple phone calls to reach the protection officer to secure an appointment. She turned up at the officer’s zonal office on the scheduled day and time, only to wait for over an hour. For Majlis [eine feministische Organisation in Mumbai, die rechtliche Hilfe bietet, Anm. ACCORD], this was a familiar story. ‘Given our past experience where victims are made to wait indefinitely, we asked Amina to directly call the DWCD officer [the protection officer’s boss],’ said Audrey D’Mello, a lawyer at Majlis.

Calling the District Women and Child Development officer proved effective for Amina, who finally received the protection officer’s help to enforce the court’s orders. Her case is now close to conclusion, but had she not received help from an established social organisation like Majlis, her experience with the protection officer could have been much more unpleasant.

‘Protection officers are often missing from office under the guise of field work, and ask women to visit repeatedly,’ said D’Mello. ‘They often lack sensitivity and make victims run from pillar to post.’ […]

The officer’s primary duty is to inform the woman of her rights and prepare a detailed domestic incident report. It is the protection officer’s job to ensure that the woman and her children are not victimised or pressurised during the filing of the domestic incident report, and are connected with medical, shelter home and other support services. If the court orders it, the protection officer is also expected to conduct home visits, write economic status reports and help the woman regain custody of her children or belongings from the abusive home.

While the duties of protection officers are clearly chalked out in the Domestic Violence Act, their functioning on the ground is riddled with problems that often make the experience of reporting violence more harrowing for women. […]

Approaching a protection officer is not compulsory for any woman trying to file a domestic violence complaint – she has the option of directly approaching a magistrate through a lawyer.” (Scroll, 28. März 2017)

Opferschutzmaßnahmen: Informationen zur tatsächlichen Verfügbarkeit (dauerhafte Plätze in Frauenhäusern, Schutzmaßnahmen wie Kontaktverbote oder Wegweisungen, spezialisierte Beratungsstellen, etc.)

The Asia Foundation, eine gemeinnützige internationale Entwicklungsorganisation, beschreibt den Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 als Schutzmechanismus.

·      The Asia Foundation: Optimizing Screening and Support Services of Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking in Person Victims; India, Dezember 2021 (verfügbar auf ReliefWeb
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2077835/India_Optimizing-Screening-and-Support-Services-of-GBV-and-TIP-Victims.pdf

„3.3.1.3 Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

The Act provides for the first time in Indian law a definition of ‘domestic violence’, which is broad and includes not only physical violence, but also other forms of violence such as, emotional/verbal, sexual, and economic abuse. It is a civil law meant primarily for protection orders and not meant to be enforced in criminal courts.” (The Asia Foundation, Dezember 2021, S. 72)

Helpline Law fasst in einem Beitrag vom April 2022 die wichtigsten Eckpunkte des PWDVA zusammen.

·      Helpline Law: Domestic Violence in India, 29. April 2022
https://www.helplinelaw.com/family-law/DVLI/domestic-violence-in-india.html

„MAIN FEATURES OF THE ACT

Domestic Violence: The term ‘domestic violence’ includes elaborately all forms of actual abuse or threat of abuse of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic nature that can harm, cause injury to, endanger the health, safety, life, limb or well-being, either mental or physical aspects of the aggrieved person. The definition is wide enough to cover child sexual abuse, harassment caused to a woman or her relatives by unlawful dowry demands, and marital rape. […]

Right to obtain assistance and protection:

A woman who is victimized by acts of domestic violence will have the right to obtain the services and assistance of Police Officers, Protection Officers, Service Providers, Shelter Homes and medical establishments as well as the right to simultaneously file her own complaint under Section 498 A of the Indian Penal Code for matrimonial cruelty.” (Helpline Law, 29. April 2022)

Auf der Webseite India Code findet man den Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) in englischer Sprache. Der auf der Datenbank abrufbare Text wurde im Oktober 2019 dahingehend geändert, als der Anwendungsbereich auf ganz Indien ausgedehnt wurde. Davor war der PWDVA im Bundesstaat Jammu und Kashmir nicht anwendbar. Mit Ausnahme dieser Novellierung vom Oktober 2019 sind keine weiteren Änderungen des PWDVA seit 2005 angemerkt.

·      Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Act No. 43 of 2005
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2021?sam_handle=123456789/1362

 

Das International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) bietet im bereits oben zitierten Anhang 4 einer Publikation zum Thema geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt einen ausführlichen Überblick über den Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, der auch vorgesehene Opferschutzmaßnahmen beschreibt, die allerdings nur vorübergehend und für Notfälle gedacht seien.

·      ICRW – International Center for Research on Women: Reducing HIV stigma and gender-based violence toolkit for health care providers in India, Annex 4: Overview of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, 2007, S. 214-222
https://www.icrw.org/files/images/Reducing-HIV-Stigma-and-Gender-Based-Violence-Toolkit-for-Health-Care-Providers-in-India-Annex-4.pdf

„Definition of ‘Domestic Violence’

The Act defines ‘Domestic Violence’ for the first time in Indian law. It is a comprehensive definition and captures women’s experience of abuse and includes not only physical violence but also other forms of violence such as emotional / verbal, sexual, and economic abuse. […] The Act recognizes domestic violence as a human rights violation. It recognizes a woman’s right to live in a violence-free home. To realize this right, the Act recognizes a woman’s right to residence and her right to obtain protection orders under the law. […]

PWDVA

■ It is a civil law for protection orders and not meant to penalize or punish

■ It recognizes the right to residence of woman, it recognizes the right of the woman to live in a violence-free home and that she should not be facing violence

■ It provides only temporary and emergency relief

■ It is a law in response to the needs of the woman

■ It has certain crossovers from civil to criminal law—so when the protection order or Magistrate’s order is violated, criminal law will start” (ICRW, 2007, S. 220 – 221)

„Shelter and medical assistance to the aggrieved person

■ The shelter homes and the medical facility are under a legal obligation to provide shelter or medical facility to the aggrieved person.

■ Copy of medical examination report is to be provided free of cost to the aggrieved person. […]

Service Providers include shelter homes, medical facilities and counseling services.

■ The Service Providers should be registered and fulfill the statutory requirements for running a medical facility or a counseling center, etc.” (ICRW, 2007, S. 223-224)

 

Eine Presseaussendung des indischen Ministeriums für die Entwicklung von Frauen und Kindern (Ministry of Women and Child Development) berichtet, dass die indische Regierung seit 2015 sogenannte One-Stop-Zentren als Anlaufstellen und gleichzeitig Opferschutzeinrichtungen für Frauen, die Opfer von Gewalt wurden, implementiert.

·      PIB Delhi - Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development: One Stop Centre, 11. Februar 2022
https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1797709

„The Government of India is implementing One Stop Centre (OSC) scheme with effect from 1st April, 2015. OSCs provide a range of integrated services under one roof including police facilitation, medical aid, legal aid and counseling, psycho-social counseling and temporary shelter to women affected by violence or in distress. As on date, 733 OSCs have been approved for 730 districts across the country, out of which 704 OSCs have been operationalised in 35 States/ UTs [Union Territories, Anm. ACCORD], which have assisted over 4.50 lakh [450.000, Anm. ACCORD] women. The setting up of OSCs from the year 2015 onward, at district level, have provided a dedicated platform to women facing violence and who are in distress to get necessary help and assistance, which was not available earlier.” (PIB Delhi, 11. Februar 2022)

Auf der Webseite des indischen Bundesministeriums für die Entwicklung von Frauen und Kindern (Ministry of Women & Child Development) findet man unter anderem Richtlinien für die One-Stop-Zentren:

·      WCD – Ministry of Women & Child Development: One Stop Centre Scheme, ohne Datum
https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/one-stop-centre-scheme-1

Außerdem stellt die Webseite eine Liste aller 704 in Betrieb befindlichen One-Stop-Zentren Indiens, inklusive Kontaktdaten zum Download zur Verfügung:

·      WCD – Ministry of Women & Child Development: Functional One Stop Centres, ohne Datum
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/Details%20of%20704%20functional%20One%20Stop%20Centres%28OSCs%29.pdf

 

Das australische Außenministerium schreibt in einem Länderinformationsbericht zu Indien vom Dezember 2020 unter Verweis auf lokale Quellen, dass die Qualität und die Verfügbarkeit von Maßnahmen aufgrund des PWDVA eingeschränkt seien.

·      DFAT – Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: DFAT Country Information Report India, 10. Dezember 2020
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2043026/country-information-report-india.pdf

„The PWDVA requires the states to provide shelters, counselling services and legal aid to survivors of domestic violence; however, the quality and availability of services are limited in practice. Local sources claim women’s shelters in India are run very strictly and do not always provide a safe environment. Shelter residents have reportedly described conditions as ‘unhygienic’ and ‘jail-like’. Shelters were first established to ‘protect’ vulnerable women from prostitution and trafficking rackets under the Immoral Traffic and Prevention Act, 1956. As such, there is stigma associated with attending shelters, with women seen as ‘immoral’ or ‘deviants’ for doing so. Researchers report a shortage of data on the facilities available across states, and on the experiences of women residents in state and NGO-run shelters. […] Counselling services tend to be of poor quality and limited availability. Lawyers Collective Women's Rights Initiative reports a mismatch between the availability of counselling services ‘on paper’, and the quality, nature and professionalism of such services.“ (DFAT, 10. Dezember 2020)

Das National Portal of India, das offizielle Informationsportal der indischen Regierung, stellt auf einer undatierten Webseite Informationen über das sogenannte „Swadhar Greh Scheme“ zur Verfügung. Dies sei ein Programm des Ministeriums für die Entwicklung von Frauen und Kindern (Ministry of Women and Child Development), das sich an Frauen in schwierigen Situationen richte, die auf institutionelle Unterstützung angewiesen seien. Die Zielgruppe umfasse auch Opfer von häuslicher Gewalt, die im Rahmen des Programms bis zu einem Jahr Unterkunft finden könnten.

·      National Portal of India: Swadhar Greh Scheme, ohne Datum
https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/swadhar-greh-scheme

„The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the Swadhar Greh Scheme which targets the women victims of difficult circumstances who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity. The Scheme envisages providing shelter, food, clothing and health as well as economic and social security for these women.

STRATEGIES

The objectives cited above would be pursued adopting the following strategies:

·         Temporary residential accommodation with the provision of food, clothing, medical facilities etc.

·         Vocational and skill up gradation trainings for economic rehabilitation of such women

·         Counseling, awareness generation and behavioral trainings

·         Legal aid and Guidance

·         Counseling through telephone

BENEFICIARIES

The benefit of the component could be availed by women above 18 years of age of the following categories:

·         Women who are deserted and are without any social and economic support;

·         Women survivors of natural disasters who have been rendered homeless and are without any social and economic support;

·         Women prisoners released from jail and are without family, social and economic support;

·         Women victims of domestic violence, family tension or discord, who are made to leave their homes without any means of subsistence and have no special protection from exploitation and/ or facing litigation on account of marital disputes; and

[…]

Women affected by domestic violence could stay up to one year. For other categories of women, the maximum period of stay could be up to 3 years. The older women above the 55 years of age may be accommodated for maximum period of 5 years after which they will have to shift to old age homes or similar institutions.

Swadhar Greh facilities could also be availed by the children accompanying women in the above categories. Girls up to the age of 18 years and boys up to the age of 8 years would be allowed to stay in the Swadhar Greh with their mothers.“ (National Portal of India, ohne Datum)

Das Ministerium für die Entwicklung von Frauen und Kindern (Ministry of Women and Child Development) veröffentlich im März 2022 eine Presseaussendung zum Swadhar Greh Programm, die auch Informationen zu Standorten und Anzahl der Unterkünfte ausweist. Darunter werden beispielsweise zwei Unterkünfte im Bundesstaat Punjab mit einer Kapazität von 60 Plätzen und einer Unterkunft in Chandigarh (die gemeinsame Hauptstadt der Bundesstaaten Punjab und Haryana) mit einer Kapazität von 30 Plätzen gelistet:

·       PIB Delhi - Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development: Shelter Homes Under Swadhar Greh Scheme, 25. März 2022
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1809697

 

Das für auswärtige Angelegenheiten zuständige Department of State der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika (USDOS), berichtet im Jahresbericht zur Menschenrechtslage im Jahr 2021 von Organisationen der Zivilgesellschaft, die sich um Opfer von häuslicher Gewalt kümmern würden.

·      USDOS – US Department of State: 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: India, 12. April 2022
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2071142.html

„Civil society organizations provided awareness and survivor-centered, nonstigmatizing, confidential and free care to victims of violence and facilitate referrals to tertiary care, social welfare, and legal services. Some also provided short-term shelter for women and child survivors of rape. These services were intended to encourage women and children to come forward and report cases. Additionally, the central government implemented interventions to improve the safety and security of women while reporting violence. This includes centers for reporting and accessing health support, women help desks at police stations to facilitate reporting, emergency response support system via a mobile application for reporting emergencies, and training programs for police, prosecutors, medical officers, and the judiciary to respond to victims in compassionate and respectful ways.” (USDOS, 12. April 2022, Section 6)

Auf der Webseite Graces List kann man für 14 größere Städte Indiens (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubanesvar, Chandigarh, Channai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Surat) und den Bundesstaat Kerala Kontaktdaten zu Frauenhäusern und anderen Sozialdiensten finden.

·      Graces List: Lokale Notdienste, Obdachlosenunterkünfte und Sozialdienste für Indien (IN), ohne Datum
https://graceslist.org/asia/india-in/