The women’s helpline (181) has registered 653 cases from January 1 to November 25 this year, of whom 291 were provided legal advice and 286 provided police assistance.

The majority of the cases reported are domestic violence incidents.

Altogether 383 cases were registered under domestic violence (mental and physical assault) category, 98 cases under domestic violence (dowry) category and 102 cases under domestic violence (sexual assault) category.

“Violence against women continues to show a rising trend. We have to stop blaming police or administration for rise in such crimes. To really curb violence against women, moral education in school for the young generations is the need of the hour. Grown-ups cannot change their morals. Respect towards women should be cultivated from a young age. Many of the cases go unreported as the women think it is normal for their husband to be violent. The mindset has to change on both sides,” helpline manager Neilakshi Sarma said.

Neilakshi Sarma The Telegraph picture

The helpline registered 986 cases of crimes against women last year.

Of the total 1,639 cases reported on the helpline in the past two years, 471 cases of violence against women have been reported from the city, which falls under Kamrup (metro). As many as 166 cases have been reported from Kamrup district.

Altogether 129 cases of violence against women were reported from Nagaon district, while 83 were reported from Barpeta and 62 cases from Dibrugarh district.

Jorhat and West Karbi Anglong reported the lowest number of cases, two and one respectively.

The 181 women’s helpline, Assam, was set up by the directorate of social welfare.