In cases of violence against women, the hesitation shown by the police to file an FIR is an oft-cited complaint. And apparently, this reluctance among the police is gender-neutral.
Advocating a change to this situation, Senior Superintendent of Police (Law and Order), V.J. Chandran asked his colleagues in the police force, especially the women, not to hesitate filing an FIR, and be proactive in serving women victims.
“I am not happy about the way we treat women. As women police officers you must remember that if you do not treat the women complainants with respect, you are degrading yourself.”
Listening in were women in uniform from Puducherry’s police force who had turned up for the discussion on violence against women organised by the Puducherry State Resource Centre for Women (PSRCW) on Monday.
Mr. Chandran cited an instance of a woman police officer turning away a complainant who said her drunken husband was beating her. “If you do not help these women, who will?” he asked.
Mr. Chandran advised the participants to first know about their rights as women, and read up on laws. He spoke about Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code concerning dowry harassment and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
Mr. Chandran also asked the women police officers to lend an empathetic ear and swing into action, instead of indulging in character assassination of the complainant.
“While we have come a long way from the time Sati was practised, it is still an unequal society. There is a need to change mindsets,” said Mr. Chandran.
He quoted a survey done in India which revealed that a majority of youngsters believed it was right for the husband to hit the wife if she has done something wrong. He added that women still do not have the right to decide whether to have children and when.
Domestic violence
“Domestic violence can entail different things. Forcing a woman to get married to someone against her wish is also a form of violence,” said Mr. Chandran.
Superintendent of Police Rachna Singh who was also present said, “Physical violence alone does not amount to cruelty. There is also mental harassment. When a case comes to you, take it seriously. There are chances there could be some serious offences which emerge when you probe further.”
Fifty women police officers participated in the programme, which also had a discussion on the causes of violence against women and its consequences.
This programme follows similar discussions with Self Help Groups, Anganwadi workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives organised by the PSRCW, which functions under the Puducherry Corporation for the Development of Women and Differently-abled Persons. Subsequent programmes would involve women banking officials, women farmers and women casual labourers.
A consolidated report on the discussions including suggestions will be sent to the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) under the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, which could be taken into consideration by the policymakers in government, said the organisers.
The programme was also attended by Managing Director of PCDW and DAP V. Anita and Chairman K. Pandian.
