Prof. Sunaina said that women should be viewed as equal partners. She felt the urgent need is to create a sense of confidence and courage among women to face such hardships. She said that justice should be delivered swiftly and speedily.

Retired Inspector General of Police A Venkat Rao deplored that no wing of criminal justice system is taking seriously the protection of women. Being an officer in service for over four decades in the police, he admitted that the police are not efficient and responsive.

He accused that the criminal justice system is weighed in favour of accused. Unless this is changed, he feared that it might not be possible to ensure justice to the victims. He expressed concern that police basically is facing trust deficit.

He felt the need to create special units in police and impart them required training to deal with issues related to protection of women. He suggested the need for better coordination between various law enforcement agencies.

Stating that police is finding it difficult to investigate in the absence of public support, he said that awareness should be created among public to ensure their participation in all crime investigations.

Smt. Srivalli Radhika said women could escape violence by realising that they are women and need to behave like women. “That makes us aware of our weaknesses and strengths and face situations strategically,” she said. The problems, according to Radhika, arise when women start to behave like men and attempt to forget their women-status.

Prof G B Reddy, from Law department of Osmania University, acting as moderator, felt that while ensuring strict implementation of legal provisions, cultural values also should be realised and adopted.