Women’s panel flags off rape awareness campaigns in state colleges
Times of India | 5 July 2025
Kolkata: In the wake of the alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old law student on campus on June 25, the state women's commission has announced a series of awareness programmes focused on sexual assault. This is the first time that the commission is prioritising rape awareness in its outreach efforts, which had previously concentrated primarily on domestic violence.
The initiative will be formally launched by chairperson of the commission, Leena Gangopadhyay, at Murshidabad University on Saturday. Gangopadhyay said that the commission is prepared to extend support to any individual who may have experienced harassment in the past. Police have confirmed that of the 11 complaints lodged against primary accused Monojit Mishra at various police stations, at least four pertain to allegations of molestation.
"If any other survivor wants to get in touch with us for earlier cases, we are willing to offer all assistance," Gangopadhyay said.
The commission has also decided to start awareness campaigns at all colleges and universities in the city about the rights of survivors. "It is important to raise awareness about the need for the safety and security of women on campus. Counselling is mandatory. We want students of both genders to attend these awareness programmes and highlight the maximum punishment that the law mandates for sexual offenders," she said.