100 SHE teams deployed to check harassment of women in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In a first of kind, Hyderabad Police has set up 100 special teams to check harassment of women in public places. These teams are called SHE teams and are aimed to counter eve teasing, stalking, physical harassment at public places. Dressed as civilians and armed with video cameras, these teams of 5 police personal each mingle with the general public and keep an eye on suspects. Hyderabad Additional Commissioner of Police Swati Lakra said, "We have identified hotspots where regular complaints come. Also timing the when eve teasing is frequent."

SHE teams are trained to catch eve-teasers red handed and the video footage is used as evidence to book them. If someone is found to be a first time offender, the police provides counselling in the presence of family members. For repeated offenders, police takes strict action under the Nirbhaya Act. The police is also carrying out extensive anti-eve teasing awareness campaigns across the city.

Lakra said, "It is a warning to men that if they harass women they will regret it." More than 40 men, from an 18-year-old youth to a 45-year-old man, have been caught by SHE teams in its first week itself. The police is taking suo-moto action even if women do not wish to file complaints. The common offences were filming girls without their knowledge, inappropriate touch inside public transports or passing lewd comments. These SHE teams try and ensure that women don't have to go through any harassment in their daily life and men will have fear of law.