New Delhi, July 03: The definition of sexual assault needs to be “widened” to include molestation while the judicial process in rape cases should be fast-tracked, NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said here today.
Vyas said there was an imminent need to bring about a change in law to deal with sexual violence against women, the proposal for which has been sent to the government by NCW.
“We have already submitted a bill in this regard to the government. It is for widening the definition of rape to make it more comprehensive and cover molestation and eve-teasing as well” under sexual assault, Vyas said at the screening of a documentary directed by filmmaker Lavlin Thadani on the issue.
She said besides comprehensive reform in the law dealing with rape, the legal process should ensure that cases are settled in less than a month and the tortuous process of requiring the victim to give statements repeatedly be done away with.
“Currently 36 bills are pending before Parliament, and our proposal is still with the government, yet to go to the legislation-making body,” Vyas said, adding she will take up the issue in Parliament.
The NCW Chairperson said there are 2.78 crore cases of rape pending in courts at different levels, according to statistics of the National Crime Records Bureau.
“We need to fast-track the process of justice to ensure that the cases are disposed of within 21 days on a single statement of the victim,” she said.
-Agencies