Gender-based violence in Orissa must end, say Christian activists

(Feb. 27, 2013) A group of Christian activists in eastern India’s Orissa State have called on the government to take more effective measures to end sexual violence against women, especially in the state's Kandhamal district, which was the focus of fierce anti-Christian violence five years ago. The All India Fact Finding team on gender violence - a nine-member delegation, toured Kandhamal from February 23-26, and spoke with state and district authorities, as well as the family of a girl who was raped and killed last year.
“We found out that there have been large-scale incidents of gender violence against girls in the age group of 12 to 16 years and of human trafficking," said John Dayal, a member of the delegation. Dayal, who is also the secretary general of the All India Christian Council (AICC), said the delegation has recommended gender education for police personnel and administration because in many cases of sexual assault and rape, authorities have shown insensitivity towards victims and forced them to reach a settlement with their attackers rather than filing a criminal complaint.
The delegation included members of the Women’s Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, the AICC and the National Council of Churches in India. The delegation will present a final report to national and state agencies responsible for the security of women. It will also continuously monitor the situation, Dayal said.