Counselling by SHE Teams reduced percentage of minor offenders from 70% in 2014 to 20% in 2019

While police forces around the country are often criticised for their failure in curbing crime perpetrated against women, Swati Lakra, an IPS officer, presently serving in Telangana as the Inspector General of Police (Law and order) and In-Charge of women safety wings, is being acknowledged and praised for her efforts towards ensuring women safety in the state. Lakra, a Humphrey Leadership awardee, has been the founder In-Charge of SHE Teams - a division of Telangana police which is dedicated to the cause of women safety. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Lakra elaborated on the performance of SHE Teams. "When we established the SHE Teams in 2014, there were many minors involved in offences against women, with delinquency among minor boys ranging between 70 to 80 percent, but after providing the offenders with counselling sessions, the percentage has come down to 20 percent," she said.