Special Cell for Women and Children: a research study on domestic violence [by] Anjali Dave and Gopika Solanki. Summary report.

Abstract

A study of the Special Cell records was conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences to analyze the existing database on violence against women. The study aims to identify patterns and trends of domestic violence from the records and study the nature of violence expressed by women and its reflection within police records. Moreover the study aims to examine the nature of intervention sought by women and the organizational responses to them and analyze the police construction of violence cases and the responses of the Special Cell. A total of 2930 records from the Special Cell 1071 records from the non-cognizable offense register and 15 criminal cases registered under Section 498A were analyzed. The study revealed that the primary reason of women approaching the cell was to seek help to prevent further domestic violence. Furthermore the study revealed that women do not register cases without male approval and that there has to be an endorsement by witnesses to build a picture of the violation. The findings also showed that violence within marriage was viewed hierarchically with grievous hurt being treated more seriously than being kicked punched or beaten by hands. The study provided insights into the demographic profile of cases referred and the characteristics of women who access the cell for assistance as well as the violence they face.