The government on Wednesday told the Rajya Sabha that it is contemplating changes in criminal laws, including those relating to women, under the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill awaiting Parliament's nod.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said state governments would have to address the problem of violence against the girl child at their level.

Also see: The shocking Mumbai rape case

Admitting that laws vis-a-vis crime against women need to be changed in the country, Patil said the United Progressive Alliance government has taken several initiatives in this regard.

Reply to a question whether the government is considering death penalty for rapists, Patil said that introduction of capital punishment for such cases could create problems.

On the recent rape of a minor in a police outpost in Mumbai, Patil said it was an unfortunate incident.