Gujarat Police launch cyber safety campaign for women, children

Gujarat Police have launched a 28-day statewide cyber safety campaign,'Operation Surakshit Cyberspace', to strengthen online safety for women and children through technology-driven policing, cyber awareness, victim outreach and coordinated enforcement, officials said on Thursday.The campaign, which began on July 1 and will continue until July 28, aims to create a safer digital environment by combining intelligence-led policing, community engagement and preventive measures to curb cybercrime.
Additional Director General of Police (CID Crime-Women Cell) Ajay Choudhary said the initiative is focused on protecting women and children from cyber offences such as online exploitation, cyberstalking, financial fraud and identity theft."The objective of this operation is to strengthen public safety in the digital ecosystem, especially for women and children, who are increasingly becoming victims of online exploitation, cyberstalking, financial fraud, identity theft and other cyber-related crimes. Conducted under the guidance of DGP G.S. Malik, the campaign aims to proactively identify potential victims, prevent financial losses, improve cyber awareness and ensure timely police intervention through coordinated action at every level," Choudhary said.
Under the campaign, police personnel across the state will identify potential victims, verify cybercrime alerts, counsel at-risk individuals, facilitate prompt reporting through the National Cyber Helpline, and ensure swift registration and investigation of cyber offences.The initiative also emphasises field-level verification, victim outreach and the use of cyber intelligence and analytical tools to detect threats and prevent cybercrimes before they escalate.
Gujarat Police will work with banks, telecom service providers, educational institutions, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community leaders to expand cyber awareness and strengthen preventive measures.Implementation at the grassroots level will be led by SHE Teams and dedicated cybercrime police stations through awareness campaigns and targeted outreach programmes for women, children, parents, students and educational institutions.
The campaign aims to educate 25 lakh citizens on cyber safety, encourage 20 lakh students to take the Cyber Safety Pledge, conduct awareness programmes in 10,000 schools and 1,500 colleges, reach one lakh adolescent girls with online safety sessions, and organise 5,000 parental awareness programmes. Authorities have also committed to initiating preliminary police action within 24 hours of every cyber complaint involving women and children.Operating under the slogan, "Safety through awareness, investigation through technology, action through law, and a safer Gujarat through public participation," the initiative seeks to build a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem through proactive policing, technology and public participation.

(State Correspondent)