Aizawl, Aug. 10: City-based voluntary organisation Human Rights & Law Network, at a workshop yesterday, highlighted the rising incidence of violence against women in Mizoram. The organisation had conducted research on the condition of women in the state.

Mizoram Women’s Commission chairperson Lalhlimpuii, who elaborated on the problems that women face, said: “It was revealed at a meeting of superintendents of police in February that Mizoram has the second highest crime rate against women in the Northeast. Here the police register, on an average, one case of crime against females every three days. This is a matter of great concern.”

She, however, said the workshop’s focus was on how the problems could be solved and not who should own the responsibility.

H.K. Laldinpuii Fente, who conducted research for the organisation, said the study was based on random sampling. The results were reliable though the sample was small and included women from Aizawl and Lunglei districts. The research revealed that the main perpetrators of psychological violence against adolescent girls were their fathers, followed by teachers and other male and female family members.

It pointed out that for unmarried women, the main perpetrators of crimes against them were teachers. “These results also imply that psychological violence happen most often in the home and school settings, perpetrated by male members of the family and teachers,” the summary said.