Imphal, March 09: Even as the rate of domestic violence has been growing, the Domestic Violence Act is being implemented in Manipur just for name sake.

It remains far from effective, stated former Manipur Human Rights Commission member Kh Chonjon.

Chonjon was speaking as chief guest in a consultation programme on "Effective Implementation of the Domestic Violence Act" organised by the Women Action for Development at Youth Centre, Khuman Lampak today.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 came into force in all the States of India except Jammu Kashmir on October 26, 2006. Even though the Act is crucial to protect women from different forms of domestic violence such as mental harassment, physical assault and sexual abuse, officials directly responsible for implementation of the Act like protection officers and service providers exist only nominally in Manipur, he observed.

Though the Act clearly laid out that victims of domestic violence should be provided shelter, medical treatment etc, the State Government has abjectly failed to fulfil these provisions.

He called upon the NGOs to take up the responsibility of implementing the Act in letter and spirit by creating awareness among the mass about the Act and urging the Government to enforce the Act.

Speaking at the occasion, Women Development Officer of the Social Welfare Department SA Shishak informed that protection officers have been appointed to enforce the Act.

But the Department is still unable to recruit service providers for Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Bishnupur districts.

Despite many cases of domestic violence reported in the State, there are still some women who do not realise that they are victims of domestic violence.

On the other side, a large number of women continue to suffer domestic violence silently for fear of bringing disgrace to the family once the tales of domestic violence are disclosed to the society, observed SA Shishak.

Judicial Magistrate A Naotuneswari stated that women should not abuse the Domestic Violence Act.

Women should judge themselves the treatment of their husbands and see that legal actions can be initiated or not under the Domestic Violence Act.

U Nabakishore of the Centre for Social Development asserted that in addition to domestic violence, women are also suffering from 'structural violence' in Manipur.

A victim of domestic violence after leaving her husband's home cannot find any shelter in police station.

This is a case of structural flaw in the society, he added.

During the consultation programme, three victims of domestic violence narrated their tales of woes and experiences.

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