NCJ Number
227047
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2009 Pages: 202-213
Date Published
May 2009
Length
12 pages
Annotation
In examining the police handling of domestic-violence cases in Tamil Nadu, India, this study compared the types of domestic-violence cases officially registered by the police with the cases disposed of informally, as well as how recent domestic-violence legislation has influenced the role of women police in dealing with domestic-violence cases.
Abstract
The study focuses on various laws that address domestic violence in India; national and statewide official statistics and trends in crimes against women; types and volume of domestic-violence cases registered at all-women police stations (AWPS) in Tamil Nadu; disposition of those cases by the police; and how the recent domestic-violence legislation influences women police when dealing with domestic-violence cases. The data from one AWPS indicate that women who face a wide range of family issues prefer to bring their petitions to women police for possible resolution. Women prefer to have their complaints brought before women police in the belief that these officers better understand and address their problems. Women police initially conduct a preliminary inquiry and attempt to resolve family disputes through various informal approaches, including mediation, in which the wife, husband, and members of the extended family come to the police station for a discussion of the issues of concern. Women police deal only with criminal offenses, such as cruelty or harassment by husbands and other relatives who engage in violence. India’s new domestic-violence law, The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act (2005), broadens the definition of domestic violence. One section of the law aims to prevent further abuse by ordering the husband and in-laws to refrain from committing any violence. Issues that remain to be addressed in administering the law include determining who will monitor such cases and whether the burden of such monitoring will rest with the police or newly created women protection officers. 7 tables and 20 references