Referring to the police figures of 21 cases of adult rape, 13 cases of physical violence and four incidents of domestic violence in 2009, Secretary of Aizawl-based Centre for Peace and Development Angela Ch. Ralte said cases of sexual harassment and domestic violence were on the rise. Even nine complaints of abduction of women were lodged with the police during the period.
Notwithstanding the absence of a proper study, domestic violence would likely be very high in the state considering the fact that a majority of the victims do not come in the open for fear of further domestic strife, a counsellor working for the CPD, C Lalthansangi said.
"Large majority of the perpetrators of domestic violence are alcoholics who committs the crime in an inebriated condition," Lalthansangi said adding only a few husbands would beat their spouses due to mere anger.