Coimbatore's 'Police Akka' scheme, a two-year-old initiative to make college campuses safer, may be adopted statewide. The scheme assigns experienced policewomen to colleges to address sexual harassment issues confidentially.
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Police's 'Police Akka' (sister) scheme, a pioneering initiative to enhance safety on college campuses and address sexual harassment complaints, is likely to be implemented across Tamil Nadu. The two-year-old program, which has shown significant success in Coimbatore, was proposed as a model for statewide adoption during a special meeting convened by Chief Secretary N Muruganandam with college representatives.
Conceptualized by Coimbatore Commissioner V Balakrishnan, the 'Police Akka' scheme operates independently of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) established under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. The initiative was born out of student feedback indicating reluctance to approach college management with harassment-related issues due to fear of judgment or potential disruption of their education.
Under this scheme, experienced policewomen, ranging from constables to senior sub-inspectors, are assigned to colleges with female students. These 'Police Akkas' are introduced to students during orientation programs and meet with them fortnightly. Their contact information is prominently displayed on college notice boards, ensuring easy access for students.
The scheme has proven effective in addressing various issues, including harassment from male friends and eve-teasing on public transport. In some cases, the rapport built by these policewomen has extended to assisting students with matters like mobile phone theft.
Over the past two years, the initiative has received and addressed 473 complaints. The 'Police Akka' intervenes either informally by directly addressing the perpetrator or by filing formal cases for serious issues. This approach helps prevent problems from escalating and fosters a sense of security among students.
Dr NA Arivukkarasi, Assistant Professor at Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), commended the initiative, stating that it provides students with personalized access to law enforcement, enhancing their sense of security and ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed both within and outside their institutions.
The potential statewide implementation of the 'Police Akka' scheme represents a significant step towards creating safer educational environments and addressing sexual harassment issues more effectively across Tamil Nadu.
Conceptualized by Coimbatore Commissioner V Balakrishnan, the 'Police Akka' scheme operates independently of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) established under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. The initiative was born out of student feedback indicating reluctance to approach college management with harassment-related issues due to fear of judgment or potential disruption of their education.
Under this scheme, experienced policewomen, ranging from constables to senior sub-inspectors, are assigned to colleges with female students. These 'Police Akkas' are introduced to students during orientation programs and meet with them fortnightly. Their contact information is prominently displayed on college notice boards, ensuring easy access for students.
The scheme has proven effective in addressing various issues, including harassment from male friends and eve-teasing on public transport. In some cases, the rapport built by these policewomen has extended to assisting students with matters like mobile phone theft.
Over the past two years, the initiative has received and addressed 473 complaints. The 'Police Akka' intervenes either informally by directly addressing the perpetrator or by filing formal cases for serious issues. This approach helps prevent problems from escalating and fosters a sense of security among students.
Dr NA Arivukkarasi, Assistant Professor at Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), commended the initiative, stating that it provides students with personalized access to law enforcement, enhancing their sense of security and ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed both within and outside their institutions.
The potential statewide implementation of the 'Police Akka' scheme represents a significant step towards creating safer educational environments and addressing sexual harassment issues more effectively across Tamil Nadu.