'Sexual assault' bill in next Parliament session: NCW

Bangalore, Jan 18 (UNI) National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Girija Vyas today said a comprehensive bill on 'sexual assault' will be moved in the next Parliament session.

Talking to newspersons here, she said the Commission had recommended stringent punishment in rape cases and also to consider 'eve-teasing as rape'.

Expressing concern over the increase in molestation and rape cases in the country, the Chairperson said a separate bill on 'sexual harassment at work places' would also be moved in the summer session.

Dr Vyas, who came here to review the implementation of the 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act' in the state, said the NCW had urged the Centre to allocate separate funds for awareness programmes on 'protection of women'.

State Government officials apprised the Chairperson that free legal service centres had been set up at the Child Development Project offices in all the districts, in association with State Legal Service Authority to help the aggrieved women.

UNI SIV MSP SG RAI1916