Cops to launch app to curb crimes against women

The Sindh police have developed a mobile phone application under the Sindh Police's Women Protection Cell, through which women will be able to file complaints about domestic violence, harassment, divorce, forced or child marriages, child care or custody, dowry and other similar issues.

To handle the project, an official website and a total of 34 offices will be set up across the province. These offices will be established at the Central Police Office, regional police offices in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur and the offices of all district SSPs in different parts of the province. Moreover, a toll-free helpline, 9110, will be set up to facilitate women.

Women will be able to lodge complaints using the app and keep track of their case status. Furthermore, the complainants will be kept informed about developments regarding their complaints through text messages and other means.

Lodged complaints will be addressed and undergo centralised monitoring.

Victims will also be able to register their cases in multiple languages, including Urdu, Sindhi and English, and will be able to upload relevant pictures, videos, audio files or messages and documents on the app as evidence.

As many as 14 officials will be reserved on the regional level and seven on the district level to address those cases.

According to the police, the project is aimed to protect women who are unable to leave their homes.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2020.