Violence against Women: Trends and Counter Measures in Smart Cities of India

Violence against women is a world-wide crisis of pandemic magnitude. The crime statistics in India show a steady increase in violence against women in urban areas.Different theories in Criminology have sought to explain violent crime in general and violence against women in particular.Violence inhibits harm both psychological and physical.The crime statistics is self explanatory and exhibits the scenario of violence against women in nineteen metropolitan cities of India which are smart cities. However it deserves mention that the level of literacy,development of the states, religious and cultural values,geographical and political location of the city can play provocative causes for the incidents of criminality. Collaborative effort of the people, NGOs and the urban police can foster sustainable urban society which are smart in the true sense of the term. Each city has its unique characteristics, issues of concern and distinct demographic and environmental conditions which influence people's life and crime trends. Thus each commissionerate should identify the lacunae, problems and prioritise accordingly and can thereby succeed in achieving success in combating crime. The present study analyses the trends of violence against women in smart cities of India and attempts to explore the counter measures that can be undertaken to eradicate the bane.


Introduction
Women are exploited and abused by people whom they love or are acquainted with. The domain of violence against women includes both their private and public life. The demands of new era and the call for an independent life exposes women to double abuse and greater vulnerability. The crime statistics in India show a steady increase in violence against women in urban areas. The smart cities in India are promoting more technology based surveillance, better Information Technology infrastructure, more greenery, concern for healthy living, greater accessibility and safer zone. Smart policing in the hundred smart cities of India aim to provide a safer and secure society to the urban population in India.However the crime scenario continues to remain gruesome and it is a still a sad tale for all the women and the vulnerable groups who are facing the rigours every day. The present study analyses the trends of violence against women in smart cities of India and attempts to explore the counter measures that can be undertaken to eradicate the bane.

II. Conceptualising violence against women and its forms
Violence is an human action carried out with the purpose of or perceived volition of causing bodily pain or hurt to another individual. [1] However, violence may not be confined to only physical harm it includes psychological harm and even neglect. Violence against women is a world-wide crisis of pandemic magnitude. It represents a from PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) (perpetrated by family or an intimate partner  and outside the home perpetrated by various  individuals  including  government agents, employers, co workers and teachers. There are primarily four forms of violence against women: (a) Sexual harassment represents a form of gender based violence occurring largely in the public sphere and can be physical, verbal or non verbal conduct; (b) Rape is an act of penile or vaginal penetration committed by some degree of force or the threat of force. It represents a crime of power and can be perpetrated by known acquaintances and strangers. It results in various physical and mental health problems for the victim and on the society; (c) Domestic violence includes actual or threatened physical or sexual violence or psychological abuse by a spouse, intimate partner or child and includes violence committed by cohabiting or non-cohabiting partners.It includes physical, sexual, psychological and verbal abuse and (d) Marital rape or spousal rape is a form of intimate sexual partner violence in which a woman is physically forced to have sexual intercourse against her will. It is a tool for men to exert social control over women through the use of patriarchal familial relationships. [2][3]

III. Theoretical Perspectives on violence against women
Different theories in Criminology have sought to explain violent crime in general and violence against women in particular. The hedonistic philosophy of Jeremy Bentham have sought an answer through the pleasure and pain principle. If the pleasure from an act committed is more than the pain it will inculcate then there will be a tendency towards commission of crime. Thus certainty, swiftness and severity of punishment can be a deterring factor. Lombrosonian school of thought opines that the prevalence of atavistic features in certain human is a common characteristic of offenders of violent crimes. However the Freudian belief establishes improper socialization thereby inadequate development of the superego as a cause of violent crime. Much against the so called individual charateristics that may be the reason of violent crime the sociological school of thought gives the onus to society and criminality as a learnt attribute of human beings. Even the lack of social bonds whereby an individual loses accountability towards society is also considered to be a drive towards violent crime. The Routine Activity Theory reckons that a motivated offender, a suitable target and lack of guardianship may the source of violent crime and in this regard the vulnerability and the inefficiency of law enforcement may trigger violence against women. The critique of the criminological theories come through the works of feminist criminology which gives the obligation of such crimes to patriarchal dominance and the hegemony of the male whereby women are deprived of equal status, considered weak and victimised in every aspect of life. [

IV. Causes and Consequences of Violence Against Women
Violence inhibits harm both psychological and physical. But many a time we contemplate what may be the reason for the rising incidences of violence against women. In this context it deserves mention that the rising number is indicative of the number of reported cases showing a hike. This may be the cause of enhancement of trust on the judiciary, greater awareness, more monitoring by the law enforcement officers and less stigma associated with a victim. However the crime statistics are just the figures of reported cases and many incidents go unreported, unnoticed which may be called the dark figure of crime. The causes of violence against women may be (1) psychiatric morbidity, stress, high expectations, monotonous life (2) socio demographic factors like young age, illiteracy, low level of education, poverty, urban ISSN: 00333077 2210 www.psychologyandeducation.net habitation; (3) family factors like childlessness, longer marital duration, more number of children, dowry, absence of boy child, late marriage; (4) mental illness; (5) traditional and cultural practices like female genital mutilation, acid attack, honour killing, early marriage lack of respect for women; (6) modernization and the hazards of modern life; (7) inefficient , insensitive, corrupt, unaccountable judiciary and law enforcement; (8) decline in moral and religious life; (9) poor cognitive development due to improper socialization, broken homes, history of experience of similar such incidents during childhood and (10) increase in population. These are some of the general causes of violence and sometimes a violence may be triggered due to a provocative situation which is beyond reasoning.[8] [9] Any kind of aggressive act can have severe impact on the victim. These may include (a) physical injury, (b) miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery (c) poor overall health, (d) difficulty in carrying out daily activities, (e) memory failure, (f) fear of crime, (g) substance abuse to overcome social isolation, (h) depression, anxiety, emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts,(i) low self esteem, (j) enhanced vulnerability and (k) loss of trust in social living and relationship, (l) child and infant mortality and morbidity, (m)emotional and behavioral disturbances (n) perpetration of violence for men who have witnessed it in childhood and victims of violence for women who have experienced such abuse in young age. [10]

V. Crime Trends in Smart Cities of India
In the year 2015-16, hundred cities have been identified as smart cities for enhanced urban living for a term of five years. The purpose of this is to (a) promote mixed land use in area based developments, (b) create walkable localities -reduce congestion, air pollution and resource depletion, boost local economy, promote interactions and ensure security; (c) Preserve and develop open spaces to promote eco-balance; (d) promote a variety of transport options; (f) make governance citizen-friendly and cost effective; (g) promote online services to bring about accountability and transparency; (h) give an identity to the city -based on its main economic activity, such as local cuisine, health, education, arts and craft, culture, sports goods, furniture, hosiery, textile, dairy, etc; and (i) Applying Smart Solutions to infrastructure and services in area-based development in order to make them better. For example, making areas less vulnerable to disasters, using fewer resources, and providing cheaper services.[11] [12] For the purpose of the study the authors have sampled ten smart cities of which data is available for nine cities as they are metropolitan cities. However Bhubaneswar which is the top among the hundred smart cities does not figure under metropolitan city and therefore no separate data is available.The table below represents the incidents of violence against women in the last four years in the smart cities of India. The crime statistics is self explanatory and exhibits the scenario of violence against women in nineteen metropolitan cities of India which are smart cities. However it deserves mention that the level of literacy,development of the states, religious and cultural values,geographical and political location of the city can play provocative causes for the incidents of criminality.

VI. Countermeasures to Combat Violence against Women
The victimization of women has aroused concern and alarm all over the globe. A problem and a curse which has crossed all national boundaries is an issue which is much of worry. Even during hours of the pandemic this menace continues to rule over all other types of crime. In this regard an exploration of the countermeasures is essential to create awareness among the people and more so the victims of such violence that is women.

VII. Concluding remarks
A growing number of crime against women, children and senior citizens is a serious challenge to smart cities of India. The alarming raise in the rate of cyber crime in the recent years is another menace to combat. Newer dimensions of crime enroute Information technology where the perpetrators are mainly youth is a cause of concern. In this regard with increasing pressure on the traffic monitoring system in relation to drunken driving, violation of traffic rules and corruption within the system and makes the environment of smart cities polluted. .Social Movements, people's rights , the rise of the civil society are making a call for new smart policing especially in urban areas.This can be achieved through public awareness, dissemination of information, identification of social ailments and having a positive approach towards society and healthy and secure social life.
Further the role of NGOs also deserve mention. The proactive and enthusiastic appeal of these welfare organizations towards public well being and improved social living should be encouraged and people should come forward for fund raising and awareness building. Collaborative effort of the people, NGOs and the urban police can foster sustainable urban society which are smart in the true sense of the term. Each city has its unique characteristics, issues of concern and distinct demographic and environmental conditions which influence people's life and crime trends. Thus each police commissionerate should identify the lacunae, problems and prioritise accordingly and can thereby succeed in achieving success in combating crime.