Question : Targeting Women through Facebook

(a) whether certain cases have come to light wherein some criminals have tried to target women through facebook;

(b) if so, the details thereof including Uttar Pradesh, State-wise;

(c) the number of cases registered during the last three months in Uttar Pradesh;

(d) whether any mechanism exists for stringent action against such criminals and for the safety of women;

(e) the details of the action taken against such criminals as on date; and

(f) the measures being taken by the Government to protect women and girls from such criminals?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (f): “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. States/UTs are primarily responsible for maintaining law & order, which includes prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution against persons involved in misuse of cyber space, including Facebook, for targeting women, through their law enforcement machinery.

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Specific data regarding cases of targeting women on facebook is not maintained centrally. Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) of States take requisite action as per law.

Safety of women in the country is accorded utmost priority by the Government. States have set up Cyber Crime Cells and also designated Nodal Officers for cyber crimes.

With a view to gear up institutional mechanism to tackle the cyber crimes including women safety, Central Government has taken following measures:

(i) National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, www.cybercrime.gov.in has been launched to enable people to report complaints pertaining to all types of cyber crimes with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children. Law Enforcement Agencies of concerned State/UT take requisite action as per law, including those received from the above mentioned portal.

(ii) Spread awareness, issue of alerts / advisories, training of law enforcement agencies & judiciary officials/prosecutors, improving cyber forensics facilities, etc.



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(iii) A handbook on Cyber Safety for Adolescents/Students has been released (Copy available on www.cybercrime.gov.in and www.mha.gov.in) and sent to all States/Union Territories for wide circulation.

(iv) An online analytic tool for police called “Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences” has been launched to monitor and track time-bound investigation in sexual assault cases in accordance with Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018.

(v) “National Database on Sexual Offenders” (NDSO) has been launched to facilitate investigation and tracking of sexual offenders across the country by law enforcement agencies. NDSO has data of over 5 lakh sexual offenders.

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