‘Train cops on women’s issues’

Women-related issues should be made a part of the basic training given to police personnel, to make them more sensitive while tackling crimes against women, the justice (retired) CS Dharamadhikari committee has recommended, Kanchan Chaudhari reports.

Women-related issues should be made a part of the basic training given to police personnel, to make them more sensitive while tackling crimes against women, the justice (retired) CS Dharamadhikari committee has recommended.

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The state had set up the multi-member committee to examine and recommend changes to laws to tackle crimes against women. In its second interim report, the committee stressed the need for special training of police personnel. Copies of the report were submitted to the Bombay high court on Monday, during the hearing of a PIL filed by city NGO Help Mumbai Foundation.

The committee has also suggested the inclusion of a column in the Annual Confidential Reports of police officers that mentions his/her sensitivity in tackling offences towards women.

The committee said the task of curbing crime against women cannot be left only to the police and advocated the involvement of NGOs, local self-governments and social activists.

With regard to sexual harassment at the workplace, the report recommended the setting up of a district-level squad under an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police. The squad should visit every establishment with more than 10 employees, including women, at least once a year.

The committee also suggested the state set up family and special courts in all districts of Maharashtra.

The committee said that punishment in acid attack cases should be enhanced to 10 years.