Lok Sabha Question No. 1023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-04
Subject: Online Harassment against Women
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHARATENDRA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1023

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2015

## ONLINE HARASSMENT AGAINST WOMEN

## 1023. SHRI KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  rapidly  increasing  number  of  online  harassment  cases  against  women, specifically revenge porn;
- b) if so, the details therof;
- c) whether the National Commission for Women has submitted any report on Online Harassment.
- d) if so, the details therof; and
- e) the action taken by the Government on the report along with the stringent measures taken to check online harassment against women?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

- (a)     & (b) No specific data is being maintained for cases of online harassment against women. However, as per the NCRB data under cyber crimes 589, 1203 and 758 cases of Publication/transmission of obscene, sexually explicit content (Under section 67 A, 67 B and 67 C of the Information Technology Act) has been registered during 2012,2013 and 2014 respectively.
- (c)            &  (d)    After  consultation  on  Cyber  Crimes  in  India  held  on  23.07.2015,  National  Commission  for  Women  has submitted a report which inter-alia recommended for opening of more cyber cells, dedicated helpline numbers and imparting of proper legal, setting up forensic labs and technical training law enforcement agencies like police and judiciary to combat cyber crime.
- (e)          The  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  together  with  Indian  Penal  Code  have  adequate  provisions  to  deal  with prevailing  Cyber  Crimes.    It  provides  punishment  in  the  form  of  imprisonment  ranging  from  two  years  to  life imprisonment and fine / penalty depending on

Athe type of Cyber Crime. However, the Government has taken following steps for prevention of Cyber Crimes:-

- i) Cyber Crime Cells have been set up in States and Union Territories for reporting and investigation of Cyber Crime cases.
2. ii) Government has set up cyber forensic training and investigation labs in the States of Kerala, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland,  Arunachal  Pradesh,  Tripura,  Meghalaya,  Manipur  and  Jammu  &  Kashmir  for  training  of  Law Enforcement and Judiciary in these States
3. iii) In collaboration with Data Security Council of India (DSCI), NASSCOM, Cyber Forensic Labs have been set up at Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and Kolkata for awareness creation and training
4. iv) programmes  on  Cyber  Crime  investigation.  National  Law  School,  Bangalore  and  NALSAR  University  of  Law, Hyderabad are also engaged in conducting several awareness and training programmes on Cyber Laws and Cyber crimes for judicial officers.
- v) Training is imparted to Police Officers and Judicial officers in the Training Labs established by the Government.
6. vi) The Scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline has been approved to provide   24 hour emergency and nonemergency response to all women affected by violence.

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