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Why no talks on

domestic violence?

Every third women, since the age of 15, faces domestic violence of various forms
across the country, reports pari saikia

t half past midnight of De- from her mother, called the lady with- helpline office answered and the re-
cember 29, this reporter out delay and pressed her to call 100, porter was able to connect the lady
received WhatsApp mes- the police helpline number. Initially, with the team. Though very late, after
sages from her mother that she hesitated to call the police fearing many calls to the police and assuring
A sent chills down her spine. escalation of the present violence and the lady that she will be rescued, the po-
What she had in front of her were dis- also because all the people who she lice finally arrived at her house around
tressed messages from a lady (known could count on were not in the city that 4 am. She was rushed to a hospital and
to the reporter’s mother) pleading to night, including the reporter’s mother. her abusive husband to jail. Thanks to
be rescued from her abusive husband. But, she called eventually after much the videos and messages, we could get
“Can we help her?” asked the mother in insistence. her help that night. But, the bruises
a frantic voice. Already two hours had passed with- from the event would have far deeper
There were more WhatsApp mes- out any medical assistance as she con- consequences in her life and eventu-
sages — videos and pictures where the tinued to bleed. Worse, nobody in the ally trickle down to her two 20-year-
lady could be seen crying as she bled police control room answered her call. old son’s.
profusely from a deep cut in her head, The reporter then tried the domestic And such cases are not uncommon,
allegedly inflicted by her husband. helpline number which is open 24*7. especially among working women.
This reporter, after taking information Finally, a member from the 181 women One week before this case, the re-
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