BHUBANESWAR: The state government is planning to appoint special protection officers to deal with cases of domestic violence in the state following reports from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 that around 35.2% women have been subjected to such violence."Incidents of domestic violence not only affect the victim but has serious negative impacts on the family and society. Since our protection officers are under tremendous workload we can think of appointing dedicated protection officers to deal with domestic violence cases," law minister Pratap Jena said.Jena also assured legal help and support from his department to check incidents of domestic violence. He was speaking at a state-level workshop of stakeholders on the successful implementation of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005. The workshop was organised by the state commission for women (SCW).Women and child development secretary, Anu Garg said, "Till the government appoints new protection officers the existing officers must take domestic violence as a serious matter and deal with the cases on a priority basis. There is a need for better convergence between the line departments including police to ensure quick justice to the victims."Speaking on the occasion, SCW chairperson Lopamudra Baxipatra said, "The domestic violence Act empowers women in their family. Not just married women or wives tortured by their spouses, women facing physical and mental violence from male members in their households can obtain legal redress from various quarters. Victims of domestic violence can approach protection officers, service protection centres, and magistrates of local courts under the provisions of the Act. And magistrates have been given tremendous power to give justice under the act."All speakers in the workshop emphasised on the proactive role of police in implementation of the Act. "Because the violence against women occurs by family members, many cases are not reported. But the police and other stakeholders must ensure justice to the few cases which are being reported. There should be a mechanism to assess the role of all stakeholders," said M Pratap, additional director general of Odisha Human Rights Protection Cell.

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