As part of a comprehensive drive to curb the menace of sexual harassment, police will be writing letters to the kin of culprits, informing them of the crime
As part of a comprehensive drive to curb the menace of sexual harassment, police will be writing letters to the kin of culprits, informing them of the crime
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The ministers have a new trick up their sleeve to put an end to the menace of sexual harassment. Ministers and cops seeking a way to tackle the rampant harassment of women in the city have thought of a unique way of dealing with the menace: complaining to their family members. 
Taking no chances: Two dedicated mobile lines will soon be opened,
and victims can call at the numbers and register their complaints to seek
help. Provisions will also be made to receive complaints via SMSes, in
case the victim is not in a position to make a phone call.
Pic for representation
If all goes well, harassment victims simply have to dial a toll-free number to complain against their molester, and soon, the word of their shameful deeds will reach the ears of their family members. Considering that many molesters indulge their urge to grope strictly when no one is looking, this measure will be implemented with a view to shaming the culprit by exposing him to his loved ones.
At a recent meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Home, Satej D Patil, at Mantralaya, and attended by senior government officials and policemen, a campaign was planned to curb the menace of sexual harassment.
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In course of the brainstorming session, officials decided that the whenever a man is asked to pay a fine or faces any kind of action for sexually harassing a woman, a formal intimation of the misdemeanour will be sent to the culprit's parents or spouse. It was also decided that officers from the police station that registers the complaint would be writing the letter of complaint.
According to Patil, two mobile lines will soon be opened, and victims can call at the numbers and register their complaints to seek help. Provisions will also be made to receive complaints via SMSes, in case the victim is not in a position to make a phone call.
Besides the current 103 helpline, another helpline numberu00a0-- 1059u00a0-- will soon be launched. An email ID will also be created, to which victims can write in their complaints.
The officials also discussed the initiative recently undertaken by additional CP Vishwas Nangre Patil in the western suburbs, wherein plain-clothes police officers and constables were deputed at crowded hubs, to nab molesters red-handed. The undertaking will be extended to other parts of the metropolis and to Navi Mumbai and Thane as well, Patil said.
Ironically, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is ready to make the 1059 helpline operational, but cannot go ahead with the move because it is yet to receive a formal proposal from the government, an official from Mantralaya said.
Patil also instructed officials of the School Education Department to hold seminars at educational institutes, to increase awareness about sexual harassment and crimes against women. Student teams will also be formed, to help monitor and report such incidents.
The campaign will soon be publicised on FM channels, with banners and posters being pasted in public places.
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