ANNA MAJAVU | 04 July, 2011 23:48
India will pay rape victims compensation of up to R45000 each from next month, the country's women and child development minister, Krishna Tirath, said.
The Hindustan Times quoted her as saying: "The scheme has been approved and the budget has been provided. Now it has been decided to launch the scheme on August 1."
Rape survivors will get a maximum of 200000 rupees (R30000) from the government fund, but mentally or physically disabled, or child victims, will get up to 300000 rupees - within three weeks of making an application.
India will set up district criminal injuries relief and rehabilitation boards, made up of police, doctors and women's representatives, to deal with applications for the money.
The boards will arrange for counselling and other services for rape victims, and for counselling for their spouses.
According to India's National Crime Records Bureau, 21397 rapes were reported in 2009, the last time India released crime statistics.
In South Africa, 68332 sexual offences were reported to the police in 2009-2010.
The Times reported yesterday on a proposal by the SA Law Reform Commission that a state fund be set up to compensate victims of violent crime.
The commission's recommendation was presented to the Justice Department in 2004 but was kept hidden away for seven years. It was quietly released in May.
The commission ruled out giving people money - except in exceptional circumstances - because it would cost the government too much.
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