Sexual Assault on Women: The Role of Police

Abstract

Cases of sexual violence are on rise against women in India. Rape, murder, eve-teasing, acid attack, stalking and molestation of women have become a matter of serious concern for women organisations, lawyers, academicians, students and other civil organisations. These agencies are persistently demanding to strengthen the institutional and legal system to check the violence against women. Police is the most visible organ of state entrusted with the responsibility for maintaining safety and security of women. However, its role to perform this task has been questioned due to poor maintenance of law and order, apathetic and insensitive handling of cases of violence against women, arrogant attitude and prevalent image of police as corrupt and unhelpful. Consequently, women organisations, legal luminaries and academia clamour to reform the structure and functioning of police are still governed by Indian Police Act, 1861, which was enacted by colonial rulers to perpetuate their rule in India. Police needs a holistic approach to check violence against women. Measures like strengthening and expediting the investigation system, investigating and treating the cases of rape victim in a responsible and sensitive manner, fixing accountability of police for non-registration of cases and proper implementation of the laws relating to safety of women are urgent requisites for these purposes. There is also an imperative need for coordination among police and academic institutions, transport authorities and offices of various companies and corporations to detect and monitor the crimes against women. Stressing the need for better policing, reformed criminal justice system, reliable public transport and overall good governance are vital as much for safety and security of women as for functional democracy of India.