Any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. As per the National Crime Record Bureau for the year 2014, U.P. and Rajasthan had the highest incidents of reported crimes against women followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Nagaland and NE-States have lowest crime rate than other states.

Prevention from the violence

• There are some major areas whose effectiveness has to be increased through well designed strategies.
• Justice delayed is justice denied. The judicial machinery, stakeholders of the law need to be more effective in their proceedings.
• Police and other state and centre level institutions that are responsible to maintain law and order, need to be more proactive.
• Prioritization of the gender issues and crimes committed are required more stress from the government, politicians and stakeholders.
• Despite these points the mindset of the society plays the crucial role in stopping the violence against women.
• In India context, the families are patriarchal, women are submissive, meek and subservient to the men. Individualistic point of view towards females should be changed.
• Addressing discrimination against women.
• Promote gender equality and support women.

Recent government initiatives

• Panic button and GPS (Global Positioning System) – By using these in mobile phones, it is easy to send distress signal and identify current location.
• 181 - Universal Women Helpline Number which is available for 24 × 7 time.
• Himmat App - To raise the SOS alert. To know the real time victim’s location which can be captured by nearby police station.
• 2 Mahila Battalions - Replacement of 2 male battalions by female battalions in CRPF for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17.
• Ladies special trains and ladies compartments – security squads were provided for these.
• Security Helpline 182 and Twitter account – Activated to provide assistance during the travelling in train.
• CCTV Surveillance cameras - To be installed in main trains having more travellers. e.g. – Amritsar-Delhi-Shann-e-Punjab E xpress.
• Middle Bay in trains reserved for women.
• Reservation Quota – Has been increased for women and senior citizens in sleeper class trains.
• SAKHI – One Stop Centre Scheme – This scheme will support women affected from violence and will offer Medical and Police assistance, Legal Aid and Shelters.