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Complaints on Cyber Crime Portal: An In-Depth Look at Women's Safety and Government Initiatives

The Ministry of Women and Child Development of India has been actively addressing the growing concerns of cyber crimes against women. In response to the Lok Sabha Un-Starred Question No. 2837 on 17.03.2023, a comprehensive overview was provided on the actions taken by the Union Government. This article delves into the key aspects of the response, focusing on the number of complaints received, actions taken, and the support systems in place for women affected by cyber crimes.

Complaints Received on the Cyber Crime Portal

Union Government Actions and Convictions: The Cyber Crime Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) has been a crucial platform for reporting various types of cyber crimes, with a special focus on those against women and children. The complaints are routed to the respective State/UT's law enforcement agencies. Here's a detailed state-wise report of complaints from the last three years:

State/UT	2020	2021	2022
Andaman & Nicobar	20	17	21
Andhra Pradesh	684	788	1029
Assam	177	260	320
Bihar	1159	1618	1955
Delhi	2327	2309	3283
Maharashtra	3305	3025	3304
Odisha	310	512	620
West Bengal	1529	26461	28501
Total	22187	52048	62310

Women Helpline (WHL-181) Assistance: The Women Helpline (WHL) under the "Sambal" sub-scheme of "Mission Shakti" provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency response services. It links women in distress with authorities such as police, hospitals, and legal services. The helpline is functional in 34 States/UTs, excluding West Bengal and Puducherry.

State/UT	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22
Andhra Pradesh	239444	125440	93421
Delhi	568693	536282	542618
Gujarat	157378	147030	164952
Maharashtra	1168	8741	5742
Odisha	20332	25342	23367
Total	1863151	1544943	1826609

Psycho-Social Counseling via NIMHANS

The government has also issued advisories for the diversion of calls received at WHL-181 for psychological counseling to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS). This ensures that women showing aggravated behavior receive timely psycho-social support.

Measures to Fast Track Complaints

To enhance the handling of cyber crimes, the Government of India has taken several initiatives:

• Spreading Awareness: Campaigns and programs to educate the public about cyber crimes.
• Issuance of Alerts and Advisories: Regular updates and guidance to ensure timely responses to cyber threats.
• Capacity Building: Training law enforcement personnel, prosecution, and judicial officers.
• Cyber Forensic Facilities: Establishing advanced labs and hiring junior cyber consultants.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Providing a comprehensive framework for law enforcement agencies to tackle cyber crimes efficiently.

Conclusion

The efforts of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, combined with state and central initiatives, highlight a robust framework to address cyber crimes against women. The continuous enhancement of reporting mechanisms, support systems, and legal frameworks ensures better protection and support for women facing cyber threats.