Need for Gender Sensitization in Police

Violence against women is too complex, takes too many forms and intersects with too many other issues for it to be eradicated without a long struggle. Women of all classes have to contend with harassment as part of their daily lives.

School and college students in the 15-19 age-group and women workers in the

Unorganized sectors are particularly vulnerable. As a group, women often lack access to the power structures, law, resources and education that would equip them to put an end to this violence. And even when they do have the capacities to stop individual cases of violence, these instances are exceptions. Most of victims were not aware of law and related provisions such as free legal aid, Women Help Lines, counseling centers, short-stay homes etc. Domestic violence in any form harasses women and increases their vulnerability for ill health, ultimately leading to psychosomatic disorders like depression, anxiety, hypertension, high suicidal tendency.

Even in daytime it is plain difficult for ordinary Indian women from the margins, or who don't have any influence whatsoever, to enter police stations. Visiting the police station often leads to secondary victimization of women.

Does the answer lie in opening an all-woman police station along side every normal police station to cover the complete state?

Of course not.

The solution does not lie in opening new all-woman police stations, but in social sensitization. The attitude of the average police and people has to change. Women should feel confident and comfortable in approaching any policeman or policewoman. After all, that is the role and purpose of the police in any civilized society. The political leadership of the state and the senior police officials has a constitutional duty to ensure that the entire police force is responsive to the needs of all the sections of the society, irrespective of their caste, creed, color or sex. But that is hard work. It would entail reforming the existing colonial system of policing — from recruitment to training to the organizational culture, everything needs an overhaul. This is not to deny in any manner that genuine problems exist with the treatment of women in the current model of policing.

The setting up of Crime against Women Cells is indeed a progressive step.

Since issues like domestic violence, dowry harassment and child abuse now invariably end up at police stations and women police by their nature are better equipped to take a sympathetic approach

Enough has been said about the population vs. police ratio in the country; however, research has indeed shown that the increase in the number of police personnel does not necessarily results in decrease in crime in general. However, when it comes to crimes against women, the kind of police force that we have indeed matters. The number of women police personnel in the police throughout the country is very low, less then 4 per cent, that is not sufficient to cater to the growing needs of country where female population constitute 50% of the total half its population

Since past few years, I have got a chance to participate in the working of women Cell, SSP Office, SBS Nagar as one of the panel members of the counseling committee.

This cells adopts a three-point method to deal with the mentioned problems:
• Investigations by the police are expedited and monitored.
• Family disputes are resolved or compromises reached through counseling.
• In case of serious crimes, the Commission constitutes an Inquiry Committee, which makes spot enquiries, examines various witnesses, collects evidence and submits the report with recommendations. Such investigations help in providing immediate relief and justice to the victims of violence and atrocities

I believe that the Incharge Woman cell needs to contact the complainant the very next day to know about her satisfaction regarding action taken and record her comments in daily diary report, which should be submitted to the Senior Officers.

But these women police cells have inherent problems: their coverage is entire district; they are ill equipped in terms of communication and mobility; Counseling to the parties concerned is a major part of the strategy to provide relief to women victims so more focus needs to be given in this regard.

The powers and intervention of the cell should not be limited to marital disputes and but they could play the role as a specialized agency in addressing all issues including the safety of women through consultations with the schools, colleges, the Market Associations, the village panchayats, the municipal bodies primarily engaged in reconciliation and amicable out of court settlement in marital discords, the cell can increase its scope by undertaking a variety of activities to help, guide and Empower and equip women while facing violence, harassment, etc.

Suggestions for improving the police’s service

1. The most important improvement that is required is in the area of further education and training. Most women feel that there should be sensitivity within the police force with regard to women's complainants. The attitude of the police and people has to change, the police should be trained in public relations so that a better rapport can be established between police officials and complainants.

2. Specialised facilities and services for women at police stations (such as trauma units and trained counselors to handle abuse cases) would enable police officials to work more closely with professionals from relevant fields.

3. Every SHO shall ensure that at his Police Station has a lady police official/officer not below the rank of Head Constable available at the helpdesk round the clock

4. To increase the accessibility of Police to the women against crimes Women Cell needs to create a 24 hour women helpline with a mobile police team with a lady police officer which responds to women in distress

5. AWARENESS: The aim should be that the community outreach programmes reach all the schools and colleges and the community at large, in addition to the police personnel within the force, for creating awareness about women's legal rights, remedies available, creating self-help group at micro levels and increasing interaction with police so that we become easily available and accessible to all women and children in need of care and protection.

6. Display of the women help lines Telephone No. at prominent places.

Conclusion

The role of women in nipping this evil is most significant. Efforts should be made on a war footing to develop self-confidence in women that they have the inherent physical and mental strength to face the onslaught of adverse situations both by active and passive means. Women themselves have to rise to the occasion and supplement their will and energy to face the old situations with utmost vigor through encouragement of the government, NGOs and other executive agencies.

Do not be a silent sufferer of these incidents. Protest them with full vigor. Police will extend all cooperation in ensuring your safety. If police becomes sensitive and cases are solved promptly, then the dream of having a safe society will come to reality. The society has also a role to play in ensuring safety of women in their neighborhood.