'Restorative justice scheme for rape victims'

The Women and Child Development Ministry will implement a scheme on Restorative Justice to Victims of Rape during the remaining part of the 12th Five Year Plan.

“The scheme is a component of the Umbrella Scheme for Protection and Empowerment of Women,” Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said in the Rajya Sabha.

The Umbrella Scheme has been formulated by the WCD ministry for the rest of twelfth plain period.

On assessment of needs of the affected woman and after giving due consideration to the physical injury and emotional trauma victims faced, the local authority  will issue appropriate directions for providing necessary support services. In  doing so, the facilities available under existing schemes of Central or State government will be utilised.

The authority has been empowered to arrange for psychological, medical and legal assistance to the affected woman. It will also arrange for shelter, education or vocational and professional training. 

If the victim is a child, Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 provides for direct payment of compensation for immediate rehabilitation in addition to the punishment. The compensation so provided may be awarded not only upon the conclusion of the case but also at an interim stage from the Compensation Fund of the State government for the purpose of compensating and rehabilitating victims.
Child marriages

“Information, Education and Communication (IEC) measures and advocacy” will be part of a renewed effort on the part of WCD ministry to stop chid marriages, the minister added. 

The ministry had formed a core group in 2012 for strengthening the implementation of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.  It has finalised a National Strategy Document on Prevention of Child Marriage stressing on law enforcement, access to quality education and other opportunities, changing mind sets and social norms, empowerment of adolescents, compilation of relevant data and developing monitorable indicators.