Post by : Shakul

Govind Mohan , the Union Home Secretary, has warned that online crimes against women and children are increasing rapidly in India’s expanding digital ecosystem and called for stronger coordination among states, law enforcement agencies and technology platforms to combat the threat.

Speaking at the inauguration of the National Dialogue on Online Crimes Against Women and Children (OCWC) in New Delhi, Mohan stressed the need for a stronger institutional response as cyber threats continue to evolve with increasing internet usage.

The event was organised by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs and brought together officials from state governments, law enforcement agencies, technology companies and civil society groups.

Mohan highlighted that as India becomes more digitally connected, cyber crimes such as online harassment, stalking, financial fraud, identity theft and the circulation of harmful content targeting women and children have become more frequent.

He urged states and union territories to establish specialised cybercrime units and strengthen investigative capabilities, ensuring timely investigation and better victim support systems.

The Home Secretary also directed law enforcement agencies across the country to treat cases involving online crimes against women and children with the highest priority and ensure swift action against offenders.

During the event, authorities launched the Master Trainers Induction Programme for States and Union Territories, aimed at creating a national pool of trained officers who will lead capacity-building initiatives on cybercrime investigation and prevention.

Under this initiative, selected officers will receive specialised training in digital forensics, cyber investigation techniques and emerging cyber threats. These trained officers will then conduct training programmes for police personnel at the state and district levels.

Participants at the dialogue included senior officials from state police forces, representatives from various central ministries, internet service providers, social media companies, legal experts, academic institutions and civil society organisations.

Discussions during the conference focused on improving digital forensic capabilities, strengthening cooperation with social media platforms for quicker removal of harmful content, enhancing victim support mechanisms and raising public awareness about online safety.

Officials emphasised that coordinated efforts between governments, technology companies and civil society are essential to ensure a safer digital environment for women and children in India.

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