New Delhi: Seven-year-old Anita, a resident of northeast Delhi, was returning home from school when an unidentified man lured her with sweets. She was sexually assaulted and an attempt was made to strangulate her.

Rukmani, in her early 20s, was walking back home after shopping when three men accosted her on a deserted street. She managed to raise an alarm just in time to prevent them from whisking her away in a car.

These were no stray cases. Delhi records the highest number of crimes against women among all Indian cities. And not only are the Indian capital's streets unsafe but the incidence of domestic violence is also shockingly high.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB's) 1998 report, Delhi tops in crimes against women like rape, molestation and kidnapping, followed by Mumbai, Bangalore and then Chennai.

Delhi witnessed 365 rape cases, 853 kidnappings and 539 molestation cases while 100 women were murdered for dowry, a kind of record among metropolises. According to the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), last year 7,000 women complained of domestic violence.

"Delhi is no longer a safe place for a woman. It has taken the dubious status of a city which records the second highest number of crimes against women," said Anjali Rai, chairperson of DCW and a member of the Legislative Assembly. She said a survey conducted by DCW recently showed that most rape victims -- 51 per cent -- are below 15 years of age.

According to Delhi Police, some 245 rape cases, 276 molestation cases, 365 sexual harassment incidents and 549 abductions, including that of children, have been reported in the past six months. Combined with 63 dowry deaths, statistics on crimes against women in the capital hides a frightful scenario. And these crimes have been on the rise.

"What is alarming is that many rape victims disappear after the inhuman crime is committed, while the accused move around freely. The survey showed that 70 per cent of the victims are untraceable," she said, adding that "women and children living in shanties are more vulnerable to such incidents than their counterparts elsewhere."

Rai also added that 84 percent of abusers are acquaintances and relatives, including fathers. She said moreover, at present, the conviction rate for rape is very low -- barely four percent -- and it takes a few years before judgment is delivered.

Recently, Delhi was shocked by reports of a man having confined his wife to a room for a year under inhuman conditions because she had not brought enough dowry. Two months ago, some tourist guides were arrested for sexually exploiting two Japanese women and cheating them of money.

Rai said with the help of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), crisis intervention centres have been opened for rape victims at seven police stations in the capital. The victims are given medical, legal and rehabilitation facilities. The growing number of crimes against women in the city made the DCW seek the help of NGOs to rehabilitate victims.

The DCW recently held a two-day workshop in which NGOs also participated and it was decided that the two groups would work together to give a sense of security to women in Delhi.

"Around 70 NGOs participated in the seminar and a common agenda and action plan was drawn on how they can collaborate regarding issues relating to girl child, domestic violence, rehabilitating rape victims and other similar issues," Adarsh Mishra, private secretary and member DCW, told IANS.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the seminar agreed to recommendations that women lawyers were needed for defence as well as prosecution in such cases, along with women judges. She also subsidised computer education for women and more shelter homes and public toilets with adequate security were also needed.

"There is no dearth of funds. I want women to come forward and it should be the women who get together and change the face of Delhi," Dikshit said. Some members said legislation that helps deter domestic violence and examines laws on property disputes involving women should be made.

Mishra said some 10,000 policemen are being sensitised to issues like gender equality and how to treat rape victims and women who come to a police station. "For a woman, coming to the police station to register a case is in itself a difficult task and takes much coaxing and effort," said a women's activist who participated in the seminar.

India Abroad News Service