DCW submits recommendations to Delhi govt to prevent delays in medical test of rape victims

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has provided recommendations to the government to address the issue of delays in conducting medical examinations of sexual assault survivors in government hospitals.

Delhi has seen a rise of 15% in crimes against women, with around six rapes being reported daily in the capital, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s ‘Crime in India’ Report, 2022.

The DCW has urged urgent strengthening of support systems for sexual assault survivors, noting that one-stop centers (OSCs) in government hospitals are not functioning properly, causing significant delays in medico-legal case examinations.

The commission has recommended the urgent setup of OSCs in certain hospitals, including Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, Swami Dayanand Hospital, and Hedgewar Hospital. OSCs provide a range of integrated support services to women affected by violence, such as medical, legal, and counseling support.

DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal handed over a comprehensive report addressing these issues to the Department of Health and Family Welfare, recommending the strengthening of the health department’s systems to prioritize rape survivors and provide them with timely medical attention. The commission has also asked the department for an action taken report on the matter within 30 days. (With inputs from PTI)