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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAINING There were three parts to the training that was designed as part of the Queens project to meet the
training needs of women police in dealing with domestic disputes and violence cases:
1. On line training in dispute resolution techniques.
2. Classroom training in interviewing of women victims of domestic violence.
3. Training in data entry (a database was developed for this purpose.)
1. Basics of dispute resolution
Though the western model of dispute resolution was used as a starting point, the training modules had
to be tailored to the nature of disputes in the Indian culture. An e-learning program was instituted
consisting of six modules.
• Module 1 Introduction to domestic/family violence
• Module 2: Introduction to DR techniques
• Module 3: Basics of negotiation
• Module 4: Basics of mediation
• Module 5: Basics of arbitration
• Module 6: Counselling approach to interviewing
Module 1: An introduction to domestic violence was needed as a prelude section for understanding the
dynamics of domestic violence in India and elsewhere. Though some women officers have considerable
experience in handling severe violence cases, most have little theoretical knowledge of domestic
violence. Greater depth of theoretical knowledge was needed in order to better serve the families who
seek the help of police, and also to know when to act in order to prevent serious incidents of domestic
violence. The covers the following topics:
1. Meaning of private and public violence
2. Differences between domestic disputes and violence
3. Impact of domestic violence
4. Nature and type types of family/domestic violence
5. Behaviour patterns of abusers
6. Characteristics of women victims of domestic violence
Modules 2: 5. The purpose of these modules was to provide information about various forms of
disputes and the importance of alternative dispute resolution
(ADR) methods in dealing with familyrelated
disputes. The modules deal in detail with theoretical concepts, the styles and methods of
ADR, and major issues arising in the use of ADR techniques.
Resolving disputes between related individuals is usually a difficult task because family relations encompass
a range of issues, which affect directly or indirectly every member of the family unit. In
general, problems are related to the formation of marriage relationships, marriage dissolution, custody
of children, termination of parental rights, domestic violence, adoptions, foster care, family privacy
and problems of adolescences etc. Resolving family disputes requires patience, understanding of the
root causes of the problem and knowledge of the individuals involved. Understanding the theoretical
concepts of ADR with special reference to dealing with family disputes for women police is crucial to
enhance the skills of women police in handling the family dispute cases effectively.
Most family disputes brought to the AWPSs are resolved through negotiation, the primary conflict
resolution device, underlying all other non-binding ADR processes. When the petitioner and the co
petitioner are brought together to the station to resolve the issues, the officer in charge can allow
them to talk in a separate room and ask them to come up with a solution that is amicable to both. This
will make the parties talk privately in the premises of an authority. Particularly in smaller towns, this
process works well. It is quick, inexpensive, private and less complicated than many other dispute
resolution processes. Mediation on the other hand involves a third party, who tries to focus on the “interests” that could
help bring the disputants together. For example, in a family dispute between a husband and wife, if
both parties have an interest in the welfare of the children it is possible to focus on the children as
means for finding a solution. If mediation fails, the next stop for resolving the dispute is the formal
court system. Since most people will try to avoid going to the court, mediation is often successful.
It is not advisable to use either of negotiation or mediation in situations: where one side has power
over the other; where one party feels intimidated and frightened; or when one party has been
physically harmed and faces the risk of future abuse and physical harm. Attempting to use negotiation
or mediation in these situations could expose the weaker party to serious risk of harm.
Module 6: consists of an introduction to the counselling approach to interviewing. It covers
Understanding the basics of counseling can provide police officers with the tools for dealing effectively
with women petitioners in emotional distress. The counselling approach helps petitioners and counter
petitioners express their thoughts and feelings and resolve their disputes amicably. It also helps
women police to identify the cases where professional counselling is required. Though the immediate
goal of counseling is to provide relief and a safe environment for the petitioner, the long range goal is
to enable her to cope with the difficult problems that may grow out of minor disputes and to assist her
in decision making about her own life.
2. Class Room Instruction in Interviewing and Counselling
Though the basics of counselling were covered on the on-line training, it was thought important to
supplement this information with classroom instruction so that adequate attention could be given to
the nature of the personal skills needed in
counselling. Classroom lectures covered the following
topics: introduction to the basics of counselling; understanding human behaviour and development
needs; self awareness and self esteem, attitudes and personality requirements of a
counsellor, skills in
interviewing and listening; stress, anger and time management, marital and family
counselling, networking; introduction to dispute resolution, negotiation, case studies and role playing and mediation;
and dilemmas in using dispute resolution techniques in police work.
3. Training in Database Management
The volume of cases of domestic disputes and domestic violence reported to the AWPSs has steadily
increased, but record keeping has not improved to keep pace with this expansion of work. Women
officers do not record important details about the petitions or the information they obtain about the
case in preliminary interviews with the petitioner and the accused. They only record the following
information by hand in large ledgers: the date, petition number, name and address, and a few lines
about the outcome usually one of three categories consisting of case withdrawn, agreed to settle at
family court, and filed FIR (First Information Report) (which means commencement of criminal investigation).
No other information will be recorded about the case such as educational level of the petitioner,
living conditions, nature of the quarrels, seriousness of the violence, risk factors involved, what
exactly the petitioner wants, the assessment of the enquiry officer, the kind of referral services
needed, etc. To meet the need for better record-keeping, a database known as the “contact sheet” was developed
to record detailed information from interviews pertaining to the petitioner, the counter petitioner/s and
the witnesses. This database was designed to allow the women police officers to identify high-risk
cases and to take the necessary steps without delay. The danger score sheet involves 15 questions
involving the risk associated with the victim and her children low, moderate or high (see Appendix A).
When the case is diagnosed as high risk, the system flashes a signal for immediate action. The
database also includes a list of referrals and crime investigation guide. Provisions have also been made
in the database for the woman officer to document every action that was taken in the petition/case
and to track the case from inquiry to the final stages.
The database is the first one to be developed in India to help in dealing with domestic violence and
domestic disputes. The software developed for the database could be developed to provide a digitised
database for the entire Tamil Nadu police force, which has around 1200 police stations. Such a
database would be of enormous help to the police at large in compiling statistics for measuring and
allocating the police resources in an effective way.To set alongside this training, a problem-solving model (the IAS model see Appendix B) has been
developed as a way to organize multiple approaches in identifying, analyzing, and resolving domestic
violence problems is worth to pursue as part of the training program. This model emphasizes a
proactive approach on victim safety and the need to develop ongoing partnerships with local victim
advocacy organizations. Based on this model, a “translation friendly” template (see Appendix B) was
created which can be used as a guide in following a set of sequential steps in dealing with domestic
dispute and domestic violence cases.
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