137 minors among 760 arrested by Malkajgiri SHE Teams this year; mega counselling programme held

Malkajgiri police on Friday conducted a ‘Samskar Mega Counselling Programme’ for persons apprehended by SHE Teams in cases related to harassment, stalking, cyber abuse and other offences against women and children, with officials stressing behavioural reform and legal awareness to prevent repeat offences.

Addressing the participants, Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police B. Sumathi said the objective of SHE Teams was not limited to law enforcement but also to provide offenders an opportunity to recognise their mistakes and reform their behaviour before stricter legal action becomes necessary.

The Commissioner said that between January 1 and May 18 this year, SHE Teams registered 61 FIRs and 236 petty cases across the Malkajgiri, Uppal and L.B. Nagar zones, while apprehending a total of 760 respondents. Of them, 137 were minors, 11 belonged to the 50-plus age group and 384 major respondents were below 24 years of age.

Police said the counselling initiative was organised as part of preventive efforts by the Women Safety Wing and SHE Teams to tackle eve-teasing, public nuisance, stalking, cyber harassment and other offences targeting women and children. The sessions focused on behavioural correction, emotional awareness, psychological guidance and legal sensitisation, particularly for first-time offenders and young respondents.

The Commissioner also said that SHE Teams had conducted awareness programmes at 406 educational institutions and public places, sensitising more than 53,000 people on women’s safety, cyber safety, the POCSO Act and responsible use of social media.

Psychologist Geetha Challa and her team from Manojagrithi conducted counselling sessions on self-control, emotional awareness and responsible social conduct during the programme. Legal experts and public prosecutors also explained the legal consequences of offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, POCSO Act, Information Technology Act and other laws related to women and child protection.