Women's police station
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Women's police stations (also units or offices) – Spanish: Comisaría de la Mujer, Portuguese: Delegacia da mulher – are police stations specializing in crimes with female victims. The women's police station was first introduced in Kozhikode District of Kerala, India on 27th October 1973. In 1985 the same was introduced in Brazil and are numerous in Latin America.[1] According to Latin American Perspectives, the first women's police station was opened in Sao Paulo, Brazil[clarification needed] and "In the first six months of operation, the DDM processed 2,083 reports."[2]
Officers at these stations are only allowed to respond to certain crimes, such as psychological violence, domestic violence, family violence, as well as specific types of threats and sexual violence. Some units offer financial help, counseling, and medical care for women who are having trouble.[1]
In India, a study found "the establishment of 188 women's police stations resulted in a 23 percent increase in reporting of crimes against women and children and a higher conviction rate between 2002 and 2004".[1] A 2020 study found that women who lived near women's police stations in Brazil had higher trust in the police.[3] A 2020 study found that the implementation of all-women's police stations in India had counterproductive impacts on victims of gender-based violence.[4]