After separation of a year, wife can’t file complaint under domestic violence act, says high court

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/After-separation-of-a-year-wife-can-t-file-complaint-under-domestic-violence-act-says-high-court/Article1-1026664.aspx

In an important ruling, the Bombay high court has held that a woman can file a complaint under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence (DV) Act only while still in the domestic relationship.




Justice Roshan Dalvi rejected a petition filed by a woman who had left her husband and two children living in America and returned to Mumbai.



“A wife who has returned from the US and consequently from the domestic relationship and lived in India for one year cannot file an application with regard to that relationship after such time," said Dalvi while upholding a sessions court order.



"Such a woman cannot be considered to be in any domestic relationship," the judge said.



The woman got married in May 1999 and lived with her husband in the US. She returned to India in February 2009.



In January 2010, she filed a complaint under provisions of the DV Act against her husband, but the sessions court rejected her complaint as no domestic relationship existed at the time of filing the complaint.



Upholding the lower court's order, Dalvi clarified that a woman who lived in a domestic relationship earlier, but which ceases only because of the domestic violence, can certainly file an application for such domestic violence that took place during the relationship.

Domestic violence against men: Know the signs

http://edition.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/domestic-violence-against-men/MY00557.html

Women aren't the only victims of domestic violence in India . Understand the signs of domestic violence against men, and know how to get help. Recognize domestic violence against men Domestic violence — also known as domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence against men can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. It can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships. It might not be easy to recognize domestic violence against men. Early in the relationship, your partner might seem attentive, generous and protective in ways that later turn out to be controlling and frightening. Initially, the abuse might appear as isolated incidents. Your partner might apologize and promise not to abuse you again. In other relationships, domestic violence against men might include both partners slapping or shoving each other when they get angry — and neither partner seeing himself or herself as being abused or controlled. This type of violence, however, can still devastate a relationship, causing both physical and emotional damage. You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner: •Calls you names, insults you or puts you down •Prevents you from going to work or school •Stops you from seeing family members or friends •Tries to control how you spend money, where you go or what you wear •Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful •Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs •Threatens you with violence or a weapon •Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets •Assaults you while you're sleeping, you've been drinking or you're not paying attention to make up for a difference in strength •Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will •Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it •Portrays the violence as mutual and consensual If you're gay, bisexual or transgender, you might also be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who: •Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members your sexual orientation or gender identity •Tells you that authorities won't help a gay, bisexual or transgender person •Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that gay, bisexual or transgender relationships are deviant •Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not "really" gay, bisexual or transgender •Says that men are naturally violent Children and abuse Domestic violence affects children, even if they're just witnesses. If you have children, remember that exposure to domestic violence puts them at risk of developmental problems, psychiatric disorders, problems at school, aggressive behavior and low self-esteem. You might worry that seeking help could further endanger you and your children, or that it might break up your family. Fathers might fear that abusive partners will try to take their children away from them. However, getting help is the best way to protect your children — and yourself. Break the cycle If you're in an abusive situation, you might recognize this pattern: •Your abuser threatens violence. •Your abuser strikes you. •Your abuser apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts. •The cycle repeats itself. Typically the violence becomes more frequent and severe over time. Domestic violence can leave you depressed and anxious. You might be more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs or engage in unprotected sex. Domestic violence can even trigger suicide attempts. Because men are traditionally thought to be physically stronger than women, you might be less likely to talk about or report incidents of domestic violence in your heterosexual relationship due to embarrassment or fear of ridicule. You might also worry that the significance of the abuse will be minimized because you're a man. Similarly, a man being abused by another man might be reluctant to talk about the problem because of how it reflects on his masculinity or because it exposes his sexual orientation. Additionally, if you seek help, you might confront a shortage of resources for male victims of domestic violence. Health care providers and other contacts might not think to ask if your injuries were caused by domestic violence, making it harder to open up about abuse. You might also fear that if you talk to someone about the abuse, you'll be accused of wrongdoing yourself. Remember, though, if you're being abused, you aren't to blame — and help is available. Start by telling someone about the abuse, whether it's a friend, relative, health care provider or other close contact. At first, you might find it hard to talk about the abuse. However, you'll also likely feel relief and receive much-needed support. Create a safety plan Leaving an abuser can be dangerous. Consider taking these precautions: •Call a domestic violence hotline for advice. Make the call at a safe time — when the abuser isn't around — or from a friend's house or other safe location. •Pack an emergency bag that includes items you'll need when you leave, such as extra clothes and keys. Leave the bag in a safe place. Keep important personal papers, money and prescription medications handy so that you can take them with you on short notice. •Know exactly where you'll go and how you'll get there. Protect your communication and location An abuser can use technology to monitor your telephone and online communication and to track your physical location. If you're concerned for your safety, seek help. To maintain your privacy: •Use phones cautiously. Your abuser might intercept calls and listen to your conversations. He or she might use caller ID, check your cellphone or search your phone billing records to see your complete call and texting history. •Use your home computer cautiously. Your abuser might use spyware to monitor your emails and the websites you visit. Consider using a computer at work, at the library or at a friend's house to seek help. •Remove GPS devices from your vehicle. Your abuser might use a GPS device to pinpoint your location. •Frequently change your email password. Choose a password that would be impossible for your abuser to guess. •Clear your viewing history. Follow your browser's instructions to clear any record of websites or graphics you've viewed. Where to seek help In an emergency, call 100 — or your local emergency number or law enforcement agency. The following resources also can help: •Someone you trust. Turn to a friend, relative, neighbor, co-worker or religious or spiritual adviser for support. •Your health care provider. Doctors and nurses will treat injuries and can refer you to other local resources. •A counseling or mental health center. Counseling and support groups for people in abusive relationships are available in most communities. •A local court. Your district court can help you obtain a restraining order that legally mandates the abuser to stay away from you or face arrest. Local advocates may be available to help guide you through the process. Domestic violence against men can have devastating effects. Although you may not be able to stop your partner's abusive behavior, you can seek help. Remember, no one deserves to be abused.

Dowry law is not for personal vendetta: Court

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/196458/court-expresses-concern-over-misuse.html


A Delhi court has expressed concern over the misuse of dowry laws as a tool to take revenge while refusing a plea of a woman who wanted action against her husband and in-laws for alleged harassment.
The court also noted that women victims having matrimonial discord generally roped in the whole family as accused just to settle personal scores even though there is no evidence against them. Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau dismissed an appeal against an order acquitting Delhi resident Sanjay Kumar and three members of his family on a dowry harassment complaint filed by his wife in 1999 on the ground that her allegations did not find any independent corroboration.

“I may further observe that Section 498A IPC (husband or relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) in the recent years has become consummate embodiment of gross human rights violation, extortion and corruption and even the apex court of our country had acknowledged this abuse and termed it legal terrorism.
The provisions of Section 498 A IPC are not a law to take revenge, seek recovery of dowry or to force a divorce, but a penal provision to punish the wrong doers,” judge Lau said.

He also said the courts should not be exploited to work for personal vendetta.
“Courts cannot be a party to any kind of exploitative situation and it is necessary for every complainant to remember that it is only an honest complaint which succeeds in law where contents are supported by facts on the ground and persons, who are not connected with the harassment, should never be arrayed as accused. “The platform of the courts cannot be permitted to be used to wreak personal vendetta or unleash harassment and the tendency of the complainants to come out with inflated and exaggerated allegations by roping in each and every relation of the husband is required to be deprecated,” the court said.

Refusing to interfere with an order acquitting Kumar’s family members, the court said even the father and brother of victim Veena did not support her allegations given in an FIR with Jehangirpuri police station in north Delhi.

   A metropolitan magistrate in April this year absolved all the accused in the case finding saying no substance in her charges.

In the verdict, the court also gave a piece of advice to Veena, quoting poet Sahir Ludhiyanvi, that she should dissociate herself from sour relations rather than being revengeful. “Not all relationships are successful. In fact, most relationships which appear to succeed are only based upon compromises.

Let go the past which is painful since attaching yourself to it will only give pain and miseries and help none,” the court added.

Save Indian Family- New Delhi Meeting Point- Every Saturday

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Location: Lawns of Patiala House Court, Patiala House Court Lawns, New Delhi, Notes: Save Family Foundation (Regd. NGO) organizes weekly meetings at Patiala House Court Lawns every Saturday from 4 PM to 7 PM. Save Family Foundation (Regd) is a strong team of dedicated families comprising of some of them are victims of misuse of 498a, DV Act including NRIs, Senior Citizens, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law and even 3 years old children, who campaign and create awareness about gross injustice and abuse that happens in Indian Legal system and Committed to Fight against all other Gander Biased LAW, which encourage to promote a "Fatherless Society" by LAW Makers of India.

HOW TO HANDLE WOMEN CELL

In case you want to Patch up /compromise with your spouse, it’s nice idea for the bright future, and then you don’t need to read all of this.

If you don’t have other option than fight, so before fight you should know your enemy. Who is enemy? Our biased Law is our enemy. So you have to prepare about it.

What is women cell/CAW?

Crime against women cell is department of Police who accepts complaint specific to women. Cell Proceedings Are Voluntary: Delhi HC in two consecutive ruling has held that the proceedings of the CAW cells are voluntary. They have ower to enforce an appearance. Justice Dhingra quote: “It is made clear that CAW Cell has no authority to secure the presence of any person either by coercion or by threat. CAW Cell is only a conciliatory body where efforts are made for conciliation with the free will of the parties. If any person is not willing to go to CAW Cell, he cannot be compelled. It is also directed that CAW Cell, in future, instead of issuing summons to the parties shall send request letters asking them to appear for the purpose of conciliation and not for the purpose of investigation. The petitioner is at liberty not to appear before CAW Cell. No threat or coercive steps shall be taken by the CAW Cell.” link to the judgment/order is given here: (http://tinyurl.com/2gf5wo ) When you get first phone call from CAW cell. Ask them politely to send notice for appearance. Receive notice and put date/time of receiving. Most probably the policewala will be in civilian clothes so as to avoid creating suspicion in the mind of your neighbors (How nice of him). He will carry a request letter from the ACP/DCP of the CAW cell and “Requesting you to join the investigation in CAW cell”. Mind it – it’s a request not summon. Also remember it’s a request to join mediation proceedings and as per law the mediation is a voluntary activity and cannot be forced upon any individual. DO NOT panic. He is not going to arrest you.

Read the Request Notice carefully. It should never say any words of compulsion. It will be a request only to join the mediation proceedings at Women cell. When you are asked to sign on it for receiving-Make sure you put TIME along with the date. Ask the policewala for the number of the IO-investigation officer handling your mediation. This will help you in case you need to inform him/her about change of plans from your end. Go there as innocent person. Only listen there, they will ask to give statement in writing. Mention like “you have attended to provide full support in enquiry and ready for any kind of counseling to save the marriage. Also write in same latter to request copy of complaint as person complained against has right to know the nature of complaint made against him, particularly when the respondent has taken action on the complaint filed with them. Sometime they let you read. In case they don’t, mention in the statement that you have not allowed to see the complaint. Let them understand without knowing anything how you can give any statement. Contact librapisces007@yahoo.com for RTI reply in which CAW has agreed to provide receiving confirmation on statement copy given to I/O on each counseling date and they also allow reading the complaint. Take hard copy of RTI and in case I/O don’t allow show him/her. Don’t sign any paper or even their noting without reading. Sometime they ask you to sign against date and tell that they will fill later. DON’T sign on such noting at all. You have right to deny. In Second or third hearing they will give you Istreedhan list provided by lady and will ask you to you provide your admit list against streedhan list. Accept only if same has been signed on each page by complainant. Take a copy of Streedhan and make a RTI and submit to PIO.

Visit http://rtitemplatesfor498a.blogspot.in or Contact librapisces007@yahoo.com for RTI format.

In case you have kid mention in each statement that you are concerned about your child and request I/O verbally and in written that you want to meet the child. RTI to women cell for complaint copy - After fist hearing in CAW cell. For complaint copy. Also attach CIC decision “Case No. CIC/SS/A/2011/000350” with RTI RTI to Women cell for Comply circular with complaint - After 2nd hearing or after Receiving of streedhan list Points to remember. CAW cell is only for women. They will not listen you. But they will show as they are taking your matter seriously. No need to show any proof there. CAW cell never accept any proof from husband side. CAW cell always give to you 3 options.

Option 1 - Agree with Wife’s condition and live with her
Option 2 – Agree and Give money to wife and take mutual Divorce
Option 3 – If you are not choose any one option from above, they will recommend for FIR.

Remember always Women cell works like an extortion cell of Wife. If women cell is agree with you completely, then also they will recommend for FIR on basis of Wife’s statement.

Meaning : CAW cell is a play ground for wife , where she play extortion game with the help of law. And CAW cell will do same what ever wife says. So , With the help of RTI’s Crash CAW cell.

No need to take your parents along with you at CAW cell unless they are specifically summoned. We would suggest taking any friend/male relative that is not named in the complaint as they would not allow entry and he will have to stand outside of premises.

Comments to put at the time of of receiving list- "Received XX no. of sheets of A4 paper as list from Smt XYZ which is not in accordance as per Rule 2 of D/P act and not even indexed, So that one can file reply. Please ask complainant to provide proper list with proper bills. Reply of Istreedhan list Comments on List Submitted by Smt XXXX Note: The list is NOT in accordance with the law, as no list was prepared at the time of marriage which is mandate of the section 2 of Dowry Prohibition Act 1961. Even gifts mentioned as given to bridegroom and his family is not segregated. The undersigned is still offering his comments, despite the list being bad in law, to aid the IO towards reaching a logical conclusion and to ensure that the false and fabricated list furnished by Smt. XXXX does not cause any miscarriage of justice to the undersigned. This is NOT the admit list by undersigned. Istreedan received at the time of marriage and afterward also for Mrs. XXXX was always and is under her possession. She has already taken her clothes, jewellery and other costly items at the time of leaving her matrimonial home on MENTION DATE. However she has left few articles at her matrimonial house which are listed below and undersigned is ready to return with proper bills and prior information but he doesn’t want divorce and want to settle the matter amicably. Left over articles: Mention here her left over articles which you want to give FAQ on admit list/AB etc During repeated RTIs with the Delhi Police CAW Cell on the compliance of circular 07/2007, It has been observed that the CAW Cell is using the plea that since the list of stridhan stands accepted as soon as the Husband submits his admit list and hence husband losses the right to ask for compliance of List of Stridhan. Question ? Couple of days back, i have submitted admit list, with covering letter mentioning specificaly that the list submitted by 498a girl is not as per the DP-2, & is false, kindly arrange for list as per rules duly supported by tax paid bills / valid payment. Will this help? Admit list is the list submitted by husband in response of exaggerated list of stridhan submitted by wife. The police asks you to submit your version of list , now there is a great trick involved here. If you straight away provided the items you are having or items actually given by them, then this means you are allowing the list of stridhan submitted by wife and means THERE IS NO ISSUE REGARDING LIST OR THIS IS THE LIST THAT MIGHT BE GENUINE ACCEPT SOME MISTAKE. But if you file your reply stating that List is false as it is not as per Rule 2 of dowry prohibition Act and police officer who accepted and given it to you then this means wife in connivance with police officer violated the rule. So This practice should be stopped immediately. Yes , what you did is correct, now insist on real list i.e. as per rule i.e. the list which should have been prepared at the time of marriage if she fails and still IO insists that means he is violating the rule and promoting the wrongs. The Circular nO. 07/2007 and other relevent circulars are available on group page. Else contact librapisces007@yahoo.com for copy Q. How can I know when FIR will be registered? Ans. After failed mediation, I/O will take you to ACP. Means that is the time of FIR. Q. When should I apply for AB? Ans. File for AB after 2-3 hearing in CAW cell (Advice is for Delhi only, However get case specific advice after first hearing). Getting the AB will be another eye opening scenario for you as there you will be face to face with your outlaws who will leave no stone unturned to get your bail application canceled/disposed. Q. We have reached to settlement in CAW and they are making agreement for the same, Is it valid document? Ans. Yes. Q. My complaint is with Nanakpura CAW. Do they have any special power? Ans. Yes. Nanakpura CAW is having jurisdiction of all Delhi. Moreover it also has power similar to police station and FIR can be registered there too. If after all of this FIR register, come to second part. Visit the 498a.org and join local meeting. Every case is unique. There is not a set plan for all cases for fight. Blog for the same is:-

http://sffdelhitrainingsessions.blogspot.in/2012/09/CAWsession.html

 Happy CAWing…………….

Bombay HC: Outstanding Judgment : State asked to Pay 2.5L to each illegal arrest in 498A

Has anyone been hit with the following ‘templates’ in their CAW / DV complaints? Wife was not allowed to use the dishwasher, microwave, washing machine in the marital home and was ‘forced’ to perform all these chores ‘by hand’. Wife was kept as a slave/maid in the marital house and was not allowed to socialize, contact her family, or step outside the house except for running errands like a servant. Wife had to beg for money all the time, and was constantly asked to demand her share in her ancestral property from FIL if she wanted to spend on anything. Wife was “dragged by her hair and hit her head on the wall” and was slapped on a daily basis. Wife was “locked in the bathroom so that she could keep crying and no one would hear”. If you were ‘lucky’ enough to be hit with this template, could you kindly share your version? We have to prove to the judge that my wife’s statements are a mixture of templates that are often used n CAW/DV allegations in India which is why they are self-contradictory.

Bombay HC : Divorce given for false 498A

http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/15373775/ In our view, filing of a false criminal complaint itself amounts to cruelty within the meaning of section 13(i) (a) of the Hindu Marriage Act. A similar view was taken by the Division Bench of this Court in Family Court Appeal No. 158 of 2008. The Division Bench had taken into consideration the judgment and order passed by the Trial Court of acquitting the Appellant therein for the offence punishable under section 498A r/w. 34 of the Indian Penal Code and also the deposition of the Appellant in the Trial Court.

The Harassed Husbands of India

India Men's Right Movement

Teen suicide go up in Mysore

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Teen-suicide-go-up-in-Mysore/articleshow/11562248.cms

MYSORE: Teen suicide rates, especially girls, have gone up by 50% in Mysore. At least 24 girls, below 18, have taken the extreme step in 2011 as against 13 in 2010 and 16 in 2009. Teen suicide cases are high among girls as compared to boys, whose suicide rate stands at 10 in 2011, 12 in 2010 and 9 in 2009.

There has been a sharp rise in overall suicide cases in the city. At least 466 people, including 127 women, ended their lives last year. Of the total, 27% were women. At least 423 suicide cases were registered in 2010 and 461 in 2009.

The reason behind women suicide cases in both rural and urban areas are family issues, illegitimate relationships, harassment by husband or in-laws, whereas in men it may be due to unemployment, debt and failure in academics or relationship, cite experts.

D Divyavani, 19, a student attached to the Regional Institute of Education ended his life by hanging himself in the institute's hostel for girls in October last year. She was pursuing BSc in education. According to police, she took the extreme step due to her failed attempt to grasp the medium of instruction, English. She studied in Telugu-medium school till Pre University and had passed with distinction. DCP (crime) P Rajendra Prasad said usually teenagers are very sensitive and tend to take hasty decisions.

Homemaker Usha took the extreme step last week because her three-year-old daughter was physically challenged while Gayathri, 20, of K N Pura, committed suicide by setting herself ablaze just two days before her wedding. Businessman P Suresh, a parent, advises teens to get closer to their family to come out of depression. "They should engage themselves with family, friends or read. Besides, both men and women can find solace in meditation to come out stress," he claimed.

‎466 - 127 = 339 men died.. and they are worried about women.. Hats Off to media!!!

30-yr-long divorce battle ends

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/30-yr-long-divorce-battle-ends/articleshow/11517703.cms

NEW DELHI: They were together for less than a day yet fought a prolonged battle for over 30 years to get rid of each other. The Delhi High Court on Monday brought down the curtains on a three-decade-long divorce battle between a couple that had spent just half a day together after tying the knot in 1982. It granted the divorce decree to the husband who accused his wife of deserting him on the very day of the wedding.

"The fact that parties who stayed together for 24 hours spent close to 30 years in alleys of courts to get rid of each other is nothing but appalling to say the least. The institution of marriage, considered a holy union of two souls is made a mockery of by such cases and it is no wonder relevance of this pious bond is under scanner by youth today," an anguished Justice Kailash Gambhir noted while rejecting the appeal by the wife who had challenged the grant of divorce decree to the husband by the trial court.

HC also said that family courts and mediation centres have an important role to play in such situations and they should encourage resolving of disputes and bring the feuding couples closer together so that marriages can be saved.

Gender Equality :- Myth & Reality

Women have volley of laws- for sheer misuse.

No one can punish her for false prosecution. She is above law and any button pressed is Golden chance for the Police, Lawyers and Judiciary to mint money.

Observe the disconnection of the man's Help button. The Siren just appears BIG but is purely dysfunctional.

Animals have Ministry in India but Mens Does not

India's elderly suffer abuse silently: Help Age report

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-s-elderly-suffer-abuse-silently-HelpAge-report/Article1-709629.aspx


India has over 90 million elderly persons above the age of 60 years and many of them, silently suffer abuse in the hands of either their daughters-in-law or sons, according to a survey report by HelpAge India.

The study, made public yesterday on the eve of the sixth World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, has found that about 41% felt that there has been an increase in the rate of crime against the elderly in the past three years.

"More than half of India's senior citizens surveyed feel that they are soft targets for crime," the report said.

HelpAge India is a leading humanitarian, development and campaign organisation working with and for older people in India for more than 30 years.

The World Elder Awareness Day evolved from its nascent stage in 1997 initiated by a small group in Australia, to becoming an issue that saw United Nations endorsing and making it a global concern.

At present, the UN recognises elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.

The grim fact, according to the report, is that 98% of the elderly in India surveyed did not file any official complaint. "This showed that they are silently suffering abuse," it said.

The report found 63% of daughters-in-law as the major abusers of the elderly, followed by the sons (44 per cent).

The HelpAge report said that Delhi NCR region reported the highest (100%) number of the incidences in the hands of daughters-in-law.

The percentage of elderly reporting ownership status of house living is among the lowest in Kolkata (15%).

It said that nearly 52% of the elderly surveyed were illiterate and 66% were financially dependent on others with half of the elderly depending on daughters-in-law for assistance in daily activities.

"A very high 85% of the elders were dependent on others for medical expenditure," it said.

The survey report further revealed that nearly 60% of the elderly consider verbal abuse as elder abuse while 48% felt physical abuse constitutes elder abuse.

"As a result of the current aging scenario, there is a growing need for care of the older persons in terms of social, economic, health and shelter. Security of older persons in India is also emerging as an issue.

"With more old people living longer, the households are getting smaller and congested, causing stress in families and marginalization, isolation and insecurity among older persons," it added.

Daughters-in-law emerge as major abuser of elderly: Study

http://www.aimpf.org/daughters-in-law-emerge-as-major-abuser-of-elderly-study/

Bangalore: Daughters-in-law emerged as the major abuser of the elderly in the lower socio economic strata and sons in the higher socio economic strata, a study said.

The study conducted on “Elder abuse & crime in India” by Helpage India, an NGO working for elderly health care, in nine cities found daughters-in-law to be the major abuser of the elderly (63.4 per cent) followed by the son (44 per cent) from the lower socio economic strata last year.

In the higher socio economic strata, sons topped the abusers at 53.6 per cent, the study conducted in cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, said.

The outcome of the study, released by city police commissioner Jyothi Prakash Mirji here on the occasion of “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”, reveals that more than one fifth of the elderly have experienced abuse.

While Bangalore tops elder abuse cases with a shocking 44 per cent, it is closely followed by Hyderabad (38 per cent), Bhopal (30 per cent) and Kolkata (23 per cent), the lowest being Chennai (two per cent).

More than half (51 per cent) of the elderly felt that there has been an increase in the incidents of elder abuse in the last three years, with Bhopal recording the highest (80 per cent), Bangalore (74 per cent) and Chennai the lowest (23 per cent).

Around three fifths of the elderly (57 per cent) reported change in cultural values and lack of economic resources among elderly (56 per cent) as reasons for the increase in incidence of elderly abuse in the past three years, the study said.

While Hyderabad has the highest percentage (84 per cent) of elderly reporting change in cultural values, increase in elder abuse incidents due to “lack of economic resources among the elderly” were reported highest in Kolkatta (79 per cent), Bangalore (77 per cent), Hyderabad (72 per cent) and Delhi (71 per cent).

More than half (52 per cent) of the elderly feel the trend of “nuclear family” as another reason for increase in cases of elder abuse.

According to the study, 19 per cent of India’s elderly feel neglected. Reasons such as “family members are busy in their own lives/work”, “family members do not really interact with them” were voiced.

Forty six per cent of the elderly feel neglected in Bangalore, followed by Hyderabad (37 per cent), Bhopal (30 per cent) and the lowest being Ahmedabad (one per cent).

Mumbai and Bangalore reported the highest percentage of elderly who fear further abuse.

The study was conducted across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai, Patna, Hyderabad and Bangalore in a sample size of 900, with 100 elderly per city.

बेटों से ज्यादा बहुओं से परेशान हैं बुजुर्ग

http://www.patrika.com/news.aspx?id=616255

कोलकाता। बदलते जमान के साथ साथ बुजुर्गो की समस्याएं भी बढ़ती जा रही है। पारिवारिक मूल्यों में आ रही गिरावट के कारण बुजुर्गों के प्रति सम्मान में कमी आती जा रही है। इसी कारण ज्यादातर बुजुर्ग अपने घरों में अपने ही लोगों से परेशान हैं। एक सर्वे के मुताबिक भारत में 60 साल से ऊपर की उम्र वाले 90 लाख बुजुर्ग हैं। इनमें से ज्यादातर अपने बेटों और बहुओं से परेशान हैं।

हेल्प एज इण्डिया की ओर से कराए गए सर्वे के मुताबिक बुजुर्ग बेटों से ज्यादा बहुओं से परेशान हैं। सर्वे के मुताबिक 44 फीसदी बुजुर्ग बेटों से जबकि 63 फीसदी अपनी बहुओं से परेशान हैं। सर्वे के मुताबिक 60 फीसदी बुजुर्ग तानों से परेशान हैं जबकि 48 फीसदी के साथ मारपीट भी होती है। सर्वे के अनुसार बुजुर्गो के खिलाफ अपराधों में दिल्ली और एनसीआर सबसे आगे हैं जबकि कोलकाता इस मामले में सबसे पीछे है।

सर्वे के अनुसार 41 फीसदी वरिष्ठ नागरिकों का कहना है कि पिछले तीन साल में बुर्जुगों के खिलाफ होने वाले अपराध में बढ़ोतरी हुई है। आधे से ज्यादा वरिष्ठ नागरिकों का कहना है कि अपराध के लिए वे सॉफ्ट टारगेट होते हैं। सर्वे के मुताबिक 98 फीसदी बुर्जुग अपने खिलाफ होने वाले अपराध की शिकायत नहीं करते। इससे जाहिर होता है कि वे चुपचाप अपमान सहते रहते हैं।

सर्वे के मुताबिक 52 फीसदी बुजुर्ग अनपढ़ हैं जबकि 66 फीसदी आर्थिक रूप से आत्मनिर्भर हैं। 50 फीसदी बुजुर्ग वित्तीय रूप से अपने बेटों और बहुओं पर निर्भर हैं। जबकि 85 फीसदी अपने इलाज के खर्चे के लिए दूसरों पर निर्भर हैं।

Study Claims Senior Citizens In Capital Face Physical Abuse

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMDYvMTUjQXIwMDcwMA%3D%3D


New Delhi: Abuse of the elderly is a relatively new problem. With increasing life-expectancy, there are more elderly people around.

A recent study by HelpAge India, “Elder Abuse and Crime in India”, claims all senior citizens they spoke to in the Capital said they had been verbally abused, while 33% confided they had been physically abused -- often beaten and tied to chairs. The ill-treatment of the elderly has become a serious enough problem to now warrant a “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”, observed across the globe on June 15.

The study, that considered the responses of 900 senior citizens in nine cities, says family members are the chief abusers of the elderly in India and help from outsiders isn’t sought or is not forthcoming.

Ninety-two per cent of Delhi’s elderly citizens are suffering in silence because they are ashamed or afraid to share their experiences. Those who do manage to overcome the shame and fear, confide to neighbours or members of the community. Not an easy task as most abusers are often their own family members. Among the wealthy, it was the son who emerged as “chief abuser”; in the group considered for the 2011 survey, it was the daughter-in-law. However, 22.5% of the elderly in the Capital— the highest figures in the country — are financially dependent on their daughters-in-law to some degree. Delhi, however, had the highest number of senior citizens who owned property with 76% owning a piece of real estate.

“In the last 50 years, our age span has increased by 20 years. But as you advance in age, age-related disabilities appear. These aren’t new but now they’ll continue for a longer period,” says M M Sabharwal, who works with HelpAge.

If these senior citizens are neglected or abused – and all the candidates questioned were – they seem to bear it in silence. There is an acute lack of awareness of laws and faith in law-enforcement agencies. In fact, Delhi’s pensioners are more distrustful of authorities than those in any other city. They can’t be sure whether they will get support from the police or lawyers. And for good reason. The study claims 75% of the few who did take that step – registered a complaint with the police – said they were harassed by the authorities. “Whenever any of us takes an issue to the SHO, we are told there’s not enough staff,” adds J R Gupta, a senior citizen.

“That’s not an acceptable excuse at all,” said joint commissioner (CAW) Nityanandam, who was present at an event where the study was released. He said there were 11,655 senior citizens registered with the Delhi police’s Senior Citizen’s Security Cell.

OLD AND VULNERABLE

Dependent elders need help, mostly to meet medical expenses 100% say they are abused by daughter-in-law; 50% are abused by son

100% face verbal abuse 92% take no action when abused 75% of those who complained against abuse say they are harassed by law enforcement officials 49% can’t say if law enforcement agencies will be supportive

Only 19% are aware of existing laws & policies regarding abuse/crime

17% want to contact the police 5% in Delhi want home visits by police/lawyers to resolve issues. The figure for national level is 25.4% 76% own property, but only 7% is engaged in

any economic

activity