Window to protect men from false accusations is necessary too?

Window to protect men from false accusations is necessary too?

Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the National Commission for Women to open windows to protect men who are falsely accused in cases of domestic violence, dowry, rape, etc. Amid talks of women empowerment and protecting them from the wolves in the society, we seem to have forgotten that not every man is a wolf that and neither is every woman a lamb.

After the Delhi bus rape, focus has been on protecting the dignity of women and ensuring that the accused gets punished. This has also led to so many false accusations from women seeking some kind of monetary benefits from men.

No, it is needless!

1. Laid back law

Indian laws that are there to prevent cruelty and injustice against women are already too laid back to give them justice. The window would only create a loophole through which not just falsely accused but also the convicts would take escape. We do not want laws to be any more bent in the favour of men than it already is. Justice is already delayed and denied in most cases.

2. Counter complaint

Hardly a small fraction of the women who are abused turn up to file cases against the convict who in most cases is someone related to her. This window would only open a counter complaint device for men who have cases against them. Woman would be made to think whether there really is any point in filing the complaint. It would eventually lead to further decline in the number of cases being filed even though crime against women would show no decline.

3. Other avenues

There is National Human Rights Commission that takes care of these matters of false accusations. The Men’s Right campaigns also help in these matters. But to bring this matter under NCW would be unnecessary and against the main agenda of its setup. It was meant to hear the plight of women first always. There are laws that protect the rights and dignity of men too.

Yes, men are framed too!

1. Rise in cases

It has been found that recently the numbers of false accusation cases have increased. Half of the rape and harassment cases filed were later found to be false claims in order to get monetary benefits from the accused. While we fight for the dignity of women, it is also our duty to ensure that innocent men do not fall into the pit of false cases from where it will be difficult for them to be rescued with so many legal bodies fighting with women, regardless of the fact that she could be the lying.

2. Loss of dignity

Even when acquitted, men who have faced rape or domestic violence charges are looked down upon by the society. They could be under immense mental torment even after acquittal which is usually ignored by the society concentrating only on atrocities against women. If women’s right bodies have the right to drag men to court, they are also to ensure that those tried under false allegations get justice too.

3. The general perception

The general perception of media and society does not recognize crime and violence against women. They are perceived to be the unfair sex who will be the convict if there is a case with a woman. They are to be protected against false accusation and in coming in terms with the post traumatic stress after being acquitted. The general perception has to change.

Yes, a window has to be opened for men to protect them from false accusations. However, a dipstick test to ensure that the window is not misused has to done too.