The facilities to file ‘FIR’ from wherever they are – is a blessing for women that are assaulted in any manner. It is necessary for every woman to be aware of the recent developments and the concessions available for them.

The ladies can file a written complaint at any police stations far away from area of mishap. The FIR can also be lodged Online. Many other such above-board liberties available are –

Make a written complaint in a near by law enforcement unit

The central government has informed ‘all the states’ to record the complaints made and transfer it to concerned ‘police station’ at a later date. The law enforcing officer refusing to accept the FIR will have to face the resulting consequences. This facility is available even if there is a delay in making the FIR.

Complaining about police officers refusing to accept the FIR for various reasons will be imprisoned for 180 days or more, penalty and sectional reprimands.

Net FIR

If a woman cannot go to a patrolling station then she can send an email to the DCP; who will instruct the concerned police station to take further action. After verifying the facts at the crime location and then go to the affected person’s house for further details and a ‘written statement’ the e-mail can be done very easily.

A simple document is to be filled and submitted. After receiving the complaint, a number confirming the Complaint and a number to keep a track of the further investigations are sent from the DCP’s office. Acknowledgement of the e-complaint and further verifications will be done before recording the ‘FIR’

Name of the victim can be kept unrevealed

The media and the law enforcement unit do not have the right to announce the name of the harassed woman. According to the Indian law, doing so is a crime and is liable to be punishment.

Neither the police nor the media can make public the name of the survivor. Under the Indian Penal Code, this is a punishable offense. This precautionary measure is taken to prevent further harassment or isolation of the rape victim.

Moreover, the concerned woman can state her case to the attorney general of that area in privacy. The alternate option would be to report the incident to an individual ‘police officer’ in the presence of a lady staff.

This legal declaration was brought into action after a couple of cases when the names of the victims were announced by responsible government official and opponent party members. One such case was a gang rape victim. Her name and snap shorts were revealed to the press. Moreover, the wrong doers were left unpunished and the survivor could demand justice.

The additional steps for security that the affected woman should take are:-

• She should be accompanied by an advocate. This will avert tampering or altering facts mentioned by the affected woman. The lady can also seek help from social workers and other NGOs working in the area. Generally the legal assistances for sexual harassment cases are free of cost. If, for any reason the ‘survivor’ cannot go to the ‘police station’, the inspector has to visit the woman’s house and take the statements in the presence of the relatives and police officials.

• It is essential that the woman takes a medical report of the assault. In the past, the medical checkup was done after filing the complaint and with police escort. Currently this clause has been altered and the rape ‘survivor’ can get the medical tests done before hand.

• It is obligatory for the medical practitioner to explain the procedures to the concerned woman. Getting the assault victim’s consent to do so; in writing. It is compulsory for private or civil medical health providers to attend to the victims before calling the ‘police.