Women police key to better justice for survivors of gender crimes: IIT Madras study
An IIT Madras-led study says higher representation of women in police forces can improve survivor trust, reporting and institutional responsiveness in gender-based crime cases. It also warns that pushing mediation over formal complaints can weaken accountability and enable repeat offending.
Greater representation of women in police forces can significantly improve trust among survivors of gender-based violence, encourage crime reporting, and make policing more victim-centric, according to a new multi-institute study led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
However, the researchers caution that excessive reliance on informal dispute resolution in such cases could weaken legal accountability and embolden repeat offenders.
The study, led by retired IPS officer Professor P Kandaswamy, examined whether increasing the proportion of women in India's police forces leads to improve institutional responsiveness, better justice outcomes, and greater confidence among victims of gender-based crimes.
WHY DOES WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION IN POLICING MATTER?
Gender-based crimes against women continue to occur across both public and private spaces in India. Many incidents, particularly those involving domestic violence, remain unreported because of social stigma, fear, and the intimate nature of abuse.
Despite several policy initiatives aimed at improving gender diversity, women remain significantly underrepresented in Indian policing. According to the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), women accounted for just 11.75 per cent of India's police force in 2022.
The researchers found that increasing women's participation in policing not only improves institutional responsiveness but also encourages survivors to come forward by creating a greater sense of trust and psychological safety.
HOW WAS THE STUDY CONDUCTED?
The research involved pan-India focus group discussions with law enforcement personnel and validated the findings through consultations with criminologists, psychologists, social workers, and legal experts.
The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Systems Research and Behavioral Science.
The study was authored by Professor Kandaswamy Paramasivan (IIT Madras), Professor Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan (T A Pai Management Institute, Bengaluru), Dr. Nabila Khan (IIM Lucknow), and Mr. S. Thejaswin (SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu).
WHAT DID THE RESEARCH FIND?
Explaining the findings, Professor Kandaswamy Paramasivan said the study showed that greater participation of women in policing strengthens institutional responsiveness towards victims of gender-based crimes and increases reporting by fostering greater trust among survivors.
He added that women officers also positively influence organisational culture by bringing a more empathetic, compassionate, and caregiving approach to policing.
THE 'ADR PARADOX': WHEN MEDIATION CAN BACKFIRE
A key finding of the study is what researchers describe as the "Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Paradox."
According to Professor Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan, some women police officials tend to encourage mediation or alternative dispute resolution instead of formally registering complaints. This is often done with the intention of preserving family relationships, particularly in cases involving married women, while also reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.
However, the study warns that indiscriminate use of such mechanisms can undermine formal justice and embolden repeat offenders.
The researchers argue that ADR should be used cautiously, with the victim's informed and voluntary choice remaining the deciding factor. If a survivor prefers to pursue formal legal action, that decision must be respected.
WHY RECRUITMENT ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
The study stresses that increasing the number of women in police forces is only one part of the solution.
Dr. Nabila Khan said meaningful reforms require leadership opportunities for women officers, specialised training, institutional support, and strong accountability mechanisms that enable them to contribute effectively to justice delivery and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
Mr. S. Thejaswin added that advancing women in policing should not be viewed merely as achieving affirmative action targets. Instead, it requires building institutions that citizens can trust.
According to the study, a greater presence of women officers provides survivors of gender-based violence with an important layer of psychological comfort, leading to higher reporting rates. At the same time, the systems modelling undertaken during the research highlighted that overdependence on mediation could compromise formal justice processes if not carefully managed.
CAN ADR STILL PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE?
While feminist legal scholars have often criticised the use of ADR in serious gender-based crimes, the researchers note that such approaches can still be valuable in specific situations.
Used appropriately, ADR can help sensitise police personnel to victims' needs and support informed decision-making in cases involving counselling, rehabilitation, or situations requiring careful assessment. However, it should never replace legal proceedings where formal accountability is necessary.
THE WAY FORWARD
The researchers noted that affirmative policy measures, including reservation mandates, targeted recruitment, maternity and childcare leave, and improved healthcare benefits, have helped increase women's participation in policing.
To strengthen these gains, the study recommends recruiting more women into police forces, promoting them to leadership roles, providing specialised training to handle gender-based crimes, conducting regular independent reviews, raising public awareness, and improving conviction rates.
The researchers conclude that lasting reform will require both greater representation of women in policing and institutional changes that ensure survivor-centric justice alongside strong legal accountability.
Greater representation of women in police forces can significantly improve trust among survivors of gender-based violence, encourage crime reporting, and make policing more victim-centric, according to a new multi-institute study led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
However, the researchers caution that excessive reliance on informal dispute resolution in such cases could weaken legal accountability and embolden repeat offenders.
The study, led by retired IPS officer Professor P Kandaswamy, examined whether increasing the proportion of women in India's police forces leads to improve institutional responsiveness, better justice outcomes, and greater confidence among victims of gender-based crimes.
WHY DOES WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION IN POLICING MATTER?
Gender-based crimes against women continue to occur across both public and private spaces in India. Many incidents, particularly those involving domestic violence, remain unreported because of social stigma, fear, and the intimate nature of abuse.
Despite several policy initiatives aimed at improving gender diversity, women remain significantly underrepresented in Indian policing. According to the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), women accounted for just 11.75 per cent of India's police force in 2022.
The researchers found that increasing women's participation in policing not only improves institutional responsiveness but also encourages survivors to come forward by creating a greater sense of trust and psychological safety.
HOW WAS THE STUDY CONDUCTED?
The research involved pan-India focus group discussions with law enforcement personnel and validated the findings through consultations with criminologists, psychologists, social workers, and legal experts.
The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Systems Research and Behavioral Science.
The study was authored by Professor Kandaswamy Paramasivan (IIT Madras), Professor Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan (T A Pai Management Institute, Bengaluru), Dr. Nabila Khan (IIM Lucknow), and Mr. S. Thejaswin (SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu).
WHAT DID THE RESEARCH FIND?
Explaining the findings, Professor Kandaswamy Paramasivan said the study showed that greater participation of women in policing strengthens institutional responsiveness towards victims of gender-based crimes and increases reporting by fostering greater trust among survivors.
He added that women officers also positively influence organisational culture by bringing a more empathetic, compassionate, and caregiving approach to policing.
THE 'ADR PARADOX': WHEN MEDIATION CAN BACKFIRE
A key finding of the study is what researchers describe as the "Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Paradox."
According to Professor Thangatur Sukumar Hariharan, some women police officials tend to encourage mediation or alternative dispute resolution instead of formally registering complaints. This is often done with the intention of preserving family relationships, particularly in cases involving married women, while also reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.
However, the study warns that indiscriminate use of such mechanisms can undermine formal justice and embolden repeat offenders.
The researchers argue that ADR should be used cautiously, with the victim's informed and voluntary choice remaining the deciding factor. If a survivor prefers to pursue formal legal action, that decision must be respected.
WHY RECRUITMENT ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
The study stresses that increasing the number of women in police forces is only one part of the solution.
Dr. Nabila Khan said meaningful reforms require leadership opportunities for women officers, specialised training, institutional support, and strong accountability mechanisms that enable them to contribute effectively to justice delivery and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
Mr. S. Thejaswin added that advancing women in policing should not be viewed merely as achieving affirmative action targets. Instead, it requires building institutions that citizens can trust.
According to the study, a greater presence of women officers provides survivors of gender-based violence with an important layer of psychological comfort, leading to higher reporting rates. At the same time, the systems modelling undertaken during the research highlighted that overdependence on mediation could compromise formal justice processes if not carefully managed.
CAN ADR STILL PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE?
While feminist legal scholars have often criticised the use of ADR in serious gender-based crimes, the researchers note that such approaches can still be valuable in specific situations.
Used appropriately, ADR can help sensitise police personnel to victims' needs and support informed decision-making in cases involving counselling, rehabilitation, or situations requiring careful assessment. However, it should never replace legal proceedings where formal accountability is necessary.
THE WAY FORWARD
The researchers noted that affirmative policy measures, including reservation mandates, targeted recruitment, maternity and childcare leave, and improved healthcare benefits, have helped increase women's participation in policing.
To strengthen these gains, the study recommends recruiting more women into police forces, promoting them to leadership roles, providing specialised training to handle gender-based crimes, conducting regular independent reviews, raising public awareness, and improving conviction rates.
The researchers conclude that lasting reform will require both greater representation of women in policing and institutional changes that ensure survivor-centric justice alongside strong legal accountability.
