Mangaluru: The II Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Sarvodaya Shettigar has suggested that women make use of the laws that were constituted for their protection.

He was speaking at a legal awareness programme organised by the District Legal Services Authority and Department of Women and Child Development at Lady Goschen Hospital on Tuesday.

He said, "Women should be aware of laws to protect themselves from harassment and crimes against them. Legal awareness will help them to overcome the obstacles in their life. They should know whom to contact when they face harassment."

Speaking on Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, CPDO Poornima K said that the Act came in response to decade-long pressure from various organisations and activists in India. The women in distress will get justice within 60 days of filing a case under the Act.

Advocate Udayananda A spoke on 'Pocso Act,' advocate Anitha Kini on 'Laws for Women,' Karnataka State Women Development Corporation officer Chandrika delivered a lecture on the facilities offered to women who become victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse.'

Senior Civil Judge Mallana Gowda and Department of Women and Child Development Deputy Director Sundar Poojary were present.