Women cops become agents of change
To make the city more secure for women, the Delhi Police Commissioner B.K. Gupta has ordered a separate “women reception desk” at all 185 police stations across the city to address women’s complaints.
Even as the news comes across as a positive initiative, we wonder if it will make the process of lodging a complaint easier for women. Recently a 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and the family had a problem registering a case for her, according to reports.
Rajan Bhagat, spokesperson, Delhi Police is quite optimistic about this new move. “Women feel uneasy narrating their complains to male police officers. So, these cells will provide them a comfort zone to share their problems. The desk will have two women officers headed by a senior woman police official. After the complaint is filed, quick action and investigation will start. The complainants will also be guided about other important departments. For instance, if somebody wants to file a rape case, the more direct and necessary details of Rape Crisis and Prevention Centre will be provided to complainants.”
They are also examining options on how the cell can be used to deal with crimes related to women. Ironically, in a city where travelling at night is unsafe for women, special women cell facilities would be available only during the daytime, and at night, women will have to contact helplines.
This special arrangement has made the city’s young professionals happy, but they feel that it will become a success only if it functions efficiently.
Says Harpreet Gill, a teacher, “It will help build a favourable atmosphere for women and will make our cops a little more sensitive to the gender. There are many women who rather not go to the police station and file a complaint, because of the hostile atmosphere. With a special reception desk, they will feel encouraged and relieved that there is a system that can come to the rescue of women in distress.”
Seconds Ekta Singh, a medical student, who says that it’s a strategic move and awareness among women is necessary. It will work as an impetus for women to approach the police. Women will now seek help confidently. “But I hope they are open 24x7, as the city is quite unsafe at night and helplines are something that we can’t really rely on,” she adds.
But a few are quite skeptical about the move. According to Shikha Rawat, a media professional, such initiatives are introduced sporadically and it’s only the execution of this new cell which will make it different from the ones introduced earlier. “Cops’ rude and indecent behaviour with the general public often makes such initiatives impossible to last long. I’ve myself faced cops’ impolite behaviour and it leaves you traumatised. If the initiative is executed correctly along with full co-operation from women cops, it can become successful,” she says.
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