CRIME PREVENTION

SOCIAL EVILS

Social evils like dowry system, child abuse, drug abuse are the main bane of the society. You, as a part of the society can take steps to prevent them and make the society a better place to live in. This chapter explains about the precautions you have to take to prevent such crimes.

Dowry System

Many NGOs have started campaigns against dowry harassment and are keeping a close watch on reported offences. Though law has provided stringent measures to curb this menace, society and you as a member of the society can do a lot to prevent offences of harassment, dowry death, etc., by taking the following steps:

• Start practising dowry prohibition in your family

• Educate the members of your family with the provisions of law – that demanding and accepting or giving dowry is an offence

• A woman is an important member of family and is entitled to all the rights and privileges a man enjoys

• Educate the members of your family and your neighbours to respect a woman’s rights and privileges

• If in any family there is a growing dispute between the in-laws and the lady, try to intervene to sort out the differences and educate them about the evils of dowry system. If they fail to listen to you, please inform the jurisdictional police and counselling centres

• Provide support and shelter to the lady in distress. If you cannot, please contact the Women organisations who can provide support in such cases

• Gather like-minded people who are fighting against this evil and gather public sympathy and support to ex-communicate the families where the evil persists

• In case you have any suspicion of ill treatment of a lady in any house, immediately inform the local Police. Ladies in distress, generally avoid showing their resentment to ill-treatment till it reaches a dangerous point leading to their being burnt to death

• Encourage women folk to raise their voice about their rights and to fight against dowry system

 

Child Abuse

Childhood is the pearl of life, where the best qualities like honesty, truthfulness and innocence are present. What one learns in childhood shapes one’s future. It is everyone’s duty to see that a child is prepared properly to lead a good life. Abuse of a child is not only a crime against society, but a crime against nature. You, as a member of your society can help the child develop itself in the right direction. Childhood here refers to all children below 16 years of age.

• Ensure that children are given proper education and not forced to labour. Basic education is free for all children. Do not prevent your children from getting this benefit

• If you notice any child being forced into labour, inform the voluntary organisations and the Police, to take custody of such children and to initiate necessary action

• If the parents of such children force them to go for work, counsel them and educate them regarding free education and regarding voluntary organisations who look after the welfare of such children

• Children are forced to work in bars, tea stalls, and in some undesirable places