Archive · 7 Oct 2026
NCW Chief Urges Immediate, Sensitive Domestic Violence Response
Vijaya Rahatkar, who leads the National Commission for Women, spoke to officers who help women facing domestic violence.
She said these officers should listen carefully and act quickly when a woman asks for help.
A woman should not have to visit many offices to get support.
Rahatkar wants police, legal and medical services, shelters, counsellors and community groups to work together.
She said officers should learn continuously because situations and the ways violence happens can change.
She also said helping women understand their rights and prevent violence is important.
Children’s safety, feelings and schooling should be considered too.
NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar urged protection officers to make immediate, sensitive first responses a priority.
She said officers’ success should be measured by timely protection and women’s awareness of their rights, not files processed.
Rahatkar called for a coordinated “One Woman, One Support System” linking police, legal and medical services, shelters, counsellors and NGOs.
She said protection officers need continuous training and practical field experience as laws, society, technology and forms of violence change.
She stressed prevention through awareness, early intervention, legal literacy and economic empowerment, and noted responses should consider children’s safety and well-being.
- Who
- National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and protection officers.
- What
- Rahatkar urged immediate, sensitive responses and coordinated support for women facing domestic violence.
- When
- Wednesday; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- At the valedictory session of the National Conference of Protection Officers; the location is not specified.
- Why
- To ensure women receive timely protection and justice, prevent tragedies, and make support easier to access.
Integrated, timely support
Fragmented or delayed response
How success should be measured
Integrated, timely support
Rahatkar said success should mean women receive timely protection, know their rights and feel heard.
Fragmented or delayed response
She argued that success should not be judged merely by the number of files processed.
How support should be organized
Integrated, timely support
She called for a connected support system so women can move from complaint to protection and justice without going from office to office.
Fragmented or delayed response
She criticized a fragmented approach in which a woman must seek help from one office after another.
When to act
Integrated, timely support
She urged prevention through awareness, early intervention, legal literacy and economic empowerment.
Fragmented or delayed response
She said action only after violence occurs is not enough.
- Speaker
- Vijaya Rahatkar, chairperson of the National Commission for Women
- Conference
- National Conference of Protection Officers on strengthening protection and justice in domestic violence cases
- Law cited
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- First-response priorities
- Correct listening, accurate information, immediate safety and appropriate referral
- Proposed approach
- “One Woman, One Support System,” connecting relevant services
- Support services named
- Police, protection officers, legal and medical services, shelter homes, counsellors and NGOs
- Prevention measures
- Awareness, early intervention, legal literacy and economic empowerment