Pune, 5th July 2025: In an effort to strengthen the handling of crimes against women and children, the Women and Child Welfare Department of Maharashtra has initiated a special training program for police officers across the state. The training, scheduled to begin in July, aims to build greater sensitivity and awareness among officers while dealing with such cases.
The sessions will cover key topics such as sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse of minors, and rehabilitation processes. Officers from various police commissionerates will participate in these workshops. Experts including psychologists, legal professionals, social workers, and rehabilitation-focused NGOs will conduct the sessions to provide a multi-disciplinary perspective.
Recent high-profile cases in Pune, including the Swargate bus station assault case, the Vaishnavi Hagwane death case, and an incident at Bopdev Ghat, have raised serious concerns about the safety of women. These cases have prompted authorities to reinforce police training as a preventive and responsive measure.
Additionally, both the State and National Women’s Commissions have held public hearings in Pune to address women’s grievances. These hearings have helped push forward investigations and encouraged more women to speak up about their experiences, indicating the growing importance of public engagement.
The department is also renewing its focus on raising awareness about the Dowry Prohibition Act, as dowry-related cases continue to surface. Officials emphasize that legal knowledge alone is not enough, empathy, counseling skills, and psychological understanding are crucial for handling sensitive cases effectively. The first round of training will begin with rural police personnel this month.
