New Delhi: In an effort to stop unabated incidents of crime against women and children, the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has circulated a handbook on women's safety and security to the law enforcing agencies of different States. Following suggestions from Union Home Ministry, the BPRD has come out with a handbook for first responders and investigators in the police department over women's safety and security.
Accordingly, law enforcement agencies from different States have also been asked to follow the guidelines suggested in the handbook. The 155-page handbook spoke in detail on handling, lifting and packing physical evidence from the crime scene. It also spoke about scientific aid to the investigation as well as the role and responsibilities of the police.
The handbook suggested that the primary and first responder of a crime can be of any rank. The police should be in the role of caregiver with the victim of a crime against women. "Such victim is in a state of shock and distress and has mustered the courage to come to the police station to register the complaint. She comes to the police station with the hope of getting justice," it said.
The treatment given to the victim by police as the first responder goes a long way in consolidating the trust of the society in the police and enhances the capability of the police to play an effective role in booking the offender and putting him up for trial in the criminal justice system, the BPRD said. It has also asked the first responder to treat the victim and accompanying family members with compassion and dignity.
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"Instill a sense of trust and confidence in the mind of the victim and record the statement of the victim with patience," BPRD said in its handbooks. It has also suggested not to make any indecent remarks or pose uncomfortable questions. Referring to the medical examination to the victim of a sexual offence, the BPRD suggested informing the victim (or the guardian, in case of a minor) of the need for medical examination and seek the consent of the victim, or the guardian, in case of a minor victim (Sec. 164A. Cr PC).
"In case of need of immediate first-aid or medical treatment, rush the victim to the nearby public or private medical care centre, free of cost. The concerned medical care centres and hospitals, public or private, can not deny medical treatment to a victim of acid attack and rape (Sec.357C Cr PC)," the BPRD said.
It said that the secondary investigator be well versed with legal provisions and skills related to the collection of evidence, writing of case diary, in-camera trial, witness/victim protection, and submission of charge sheet among others. Further clarifying the issue, the BPRD said that crime against women is direct or indirect, physical or mental cruelty to a woman.
"Crimes which are directed specifically against women and in which only women are victims are characterised as a crime against women," it said. The handbook also categorized different places of occurrence of crime, constitutional provisions for safeguarding the rights of women, compensation and rehabilitation among other vital issues.
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