Molestation worrisome, need confidence-building measures, says Assocham

New Delhi: Raising concern over the increasing cases of molestation, industry body Assocham on Monday said fear must be instilled among those who are prone to commit such crimes.

"Increasing incidents of women molestation in the country have not only shaken confidence of working women and their families but others too," said a paper published by Assocham Social Development Foundation (ASDF).

It said that women have to battle day in and day out in chartered buses, cabs, autos without knowing whether their drivers and crew members have been verified by the police or not. The fear of law must be instilled among those who are prone to commit heinous crime, it added.

As per a survey covering 2,500 women, they are required to work late in sectors like BPO and ITeS, travel and tourism, nursing homes and media, among others, the report said.

The paper said while the cabs with major brands and with GPS were considered safe, the increasing incidents have shaken the confidence.

"If immediate confidence building measures are not taken, the impact could be severe on the tourism and hospitality sector in the middle of a tourism season in North India, which needs to do a lot in terms of law and order," said Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat.