Security Officers Appointed to Help Women

• 25 Feb 2025

Why in News? 

The Bihar government has decided to appoint 140 full-time 'protection officers ' in the state to provide more effective assistance to women affected by domestic violence .  

Key Points  

• About the issue:  
  • The Social Welfare Department has decided to create a separate cadre under which security officers will be appointed at the sub-division, district and state levels.  
• Objective: 
  • To effectively deal with the rising cases of domestic violence. 
  • To provide protection to women from domestic violence and ensure protection of the rights granted to them by the Constitution. 
• Level of placement: 
  • Security officers will be appointed at the sub-division, district, and state levels. 
  • A total of 140 security officers will be appointed : 
    • 101 at sub-division level 
    • 38 at district level 
    • 1 State Level Security Officer. 
• Responsibilities of the Security Officer: 
  • To protect the rights of women under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 . 
  • To assist the Magistrate in his duties. 
  • To get the physical injuries of the victim, the woman medically examined and send the report to the concerned police station and magistrate. 
  • Ensuring compliance of economic relief orders under Section 20 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005. 

 Domestic Violence Act, 2005  

• Introduction:  
  • This is an important law to prevent domestic violence against women and provide them legal protection.  
• Objective: 
  • The purpose of this Act is to protect women from violence in their homes or any other private place and to provide them protection of their rights. 
  • Different types of domestic violence:  
    • Physical violence: 
      • This includes physically hurting the woman. 
      • Example: Slapping, pushing, hitting, etc. 
    • Sexual violence: 
      • This includes misdeeds like sexual harassment or rape of a woman. 
      • Example: Forced intercourse, other sexual offences. 
    • Emotional abuse: 
      • This includes harming the woman’s mental state and self-esteem. 
      • Example: Insulting, betraying, intimidating, or making the woman feel mentally weak. 
    • Social and economic control: 
      • This includes isolating the woman from her family and friends, socially isolating her, or confining her against her will.