LEGAL AID CLINIC: QUESTIONNAIRE (Already attached in the record)

1. Are you aware of the Legal Services Authorities at the District and Taluka level who can
aid you in filing your complaint and proceeding with the case? Which is the nearest one?
2. Are you aware of the RTI Act? Have you or anybody you know anytime applied to seek
information under this Act? For example with respect to how your forest land is being
preserved, whether you are entitled to titles to the land, governments actions being
detrimental to your surroundings?
If yes - Did you give any reason for asking the desired information? Did you receive the
information from the official concerned? Has the information been provided in the format
you had sought? Did you face any problems in getting the information?
If no- have you been discouraged in anyway?
3. Have you sought the help of any officer in filling out the application form to file an RTI?
Have the concerned authorities denied you the information which you had sought? If yes, has
the reason for the same been communicated to you? Are you satisfied with the reasons so
communicated? If no, have you preferred an appeal against the said order? Have you visited
any RTI clinic?
4. Are you aware of your rights as a consumer? Have you ever taken legal recourse to any
problems that you have faced?
5. Are you able to access and afford quality health care facilities?
6. Have you sought/received help from the local authorities such as Police and other officers
in Government departments? Do they treat you with dignity and respect?
7. Do you have access to clean and hygienic sanitation facilities?
8. Do you provide your children, irrespective of gender, with equal rights and
opportunities?
9. Have you have been involved in a civil dispute or been the victim of a crime (incl.
domestic violence), which of the following did you do in response?
10. Have you talked to the perpetrator/other side?
11. Have you sought help from own family members?
12. Have you threatened/been threatened by the perpetrator?
13. Have you taken direct action against perpetrator by damaging his/her property?
14. Have you approached a local political leader?
15. Have you approached a religious leader?
16. Have you approached an employer or landlord?
17. Please provide your opinion in the following matters.
Questions

Strongly
Agree

Somewhat
Agree

Somewhat
Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

Does
Not
Apply

1. Domestic violence is a
private matter that should
be kept within the family.
2.
Domestic
violence
means physical abuse only.
3. I know that there may be
a cycle of violence within
intimate
partner
relationship.
4. I am at fault when my
domestic partner physically
or emotionally abuses me.
5. I know that growing up
in a domestic violence
environment has a negative
impact on children.
6. I have developed a
safety plan in case I am
subjected to domestic
violence.
7. Domestic violence is a
crime.
8. I know about my rights
under
the
Domestic
Violence Act, 2005 (incl.
the local service providers).
9. I know how to receive
legal services for domestic
violence.

18. Are you aware of the prevailing market prices of commodities?

20. Are you aware of the schemes instituted by the Government for the benefit of tribal
and/or village communities?
If yes:
i.

How did you obtain such information?

ii.
Are you aware of other (legal) ways to obtain information regarding the
same? If yes, what are those means and how did you find out about them?
If not:
i.
Do you know of any means to obtain such information? If yes, what are
those means and how did you find out about them?
ii.

Do other members of the community have such information?

SURVEY RESULTS
The survey results revealed that a substantial number of the survey respondents (97%) were
unaware of at least one of the three aforementioned legislations. Additionally, even amongst
those who were aware of their rights under the legislations, the rate of implementation and
knowledge of how to access their remedies under such legislations was very low.
The topic-wise conclusions are as below.
Domestic Violence Act
Several women reported that they were either victims of domestic violence (in the past or
present) or that they had witnessed domestic violence being perpetrated on other women.
Numerous misconceptions regarding the nature of domestic violence were observed to
prevail amongst the respondents. More than half of the respondents believed that domestic
violence comprises physical violence only. An even larger proportion of respondents
expressed their belief that domestic violence is a private matter that should be kept within the
family. Even after being informed about the Act and the rights thereunder, only 2 victims
were desirous of taking action against their husbands. The rest were of the opinion that their
husbands could treat them as they pleased as a matter of right.
The social stigma attached to reporting an incident of domestic violence, and the prevalence
of the above misconceptions, clearly demonstrates the patriarchal and oppressive nature of
the tribals environment.
Consumer Protection Act
Very few respondents were aware of the existence of this legislation. Only one respondent
had ever taken action under the Act, but delays prevented the effective implementation of the
Act. The respondents mostly relied upon the prices of commodities quoted by the local
wholesalers, and did not independently have any knowledge regarding the same.
Right to Information Act

Again, the RTI Act was known to less than one third of the respondents. Not a single
respondent reported having made an application to the concerned Public Information Officer
for information under the legislation.
In conclusion, it is expedient to follow up with the respondents and ensure that not only are
they aware of their rights, but that they are willing and able to effectively exercise them.