UN Workshop Trains Thai Police Cadets To Protect Women

[webfact]

UN workshop trains police cadets to protect women

Tossaporn Wongwaikolayoot

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Violence against women and girls has been a hidden issue for decades. Even today, the statistics on violence around the world are just loose estimates. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) estimates that one third of women around the world have experienced violence, more than 20 per cent of them at the hands of their partner.

In Thailand, it has been reported that 44 per cent of women have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of their partner. But precise numbers are hard to come by, as many women are still afraid to go to the police.

While a majority of victims tend to tell the truth and pursue justice when they have access to officials of the same gender, of the approximately 200,000 police officers working at 4,000 police stations nationwide, only about 20 per cent, or about 40,000, are women.

"Thailand still lacks female police officers. But we have been training female officers for four years. Now, we have about 70 female students each year who are expected to work to help end violence against women," said Pol LtGeneral Aree Aounchit, director of the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

As police officers are most victims' first point of contact with the justice system, UN Women East and Southeast Asia yesterday held a workshop on ending violence against women for 285 thirdyear Thai police cadets.

Of these, 80 students will be selected to join an intensive course for a further two days to deepen their understanding of related laws, female psychology and the root causes of violence against women.

"We hope that the training will mark a significant step in this effort and partnership," said Shoko Ishikawa, officer in charge at UN Women East and Southeast Asia.

The Thai justice system is still in the beginning stages of learning how to deal with sensitive cases such as these, with many women still afraid to report their cases to the police, she said, while a lack of understanding persists on the part of many officials.

"There're still some issues that Thailand needs to work on. The law itself is fine, with little need to amend it. But first we have to eliminate the idea that violence within the family is acceptable," Ishikawa said.

In a speech, she cited a statistic that more than seven in 10 women in rural Thailand believe there are circumstances in which it is justifiable for a man to beat his wife.

Aree said that even though the issue is already raised with cadets at the school, the workshop would increase their awareness and knowledge by exposing them to actual victims who are willing to share their stories. This would especially benefit female police cadets who are expected to work on women's cases, the academy director said.

A senior public prosecutor at the Office of the AttorneyGeneral, Saroj Nakbet, cited Royal Thai Police statistics showing that between April and September 2008, there were 18,191 cases of women being assaulted and 4,359 cases of rape reported to the police. But only about 200 cases proceeded through the justice system, creating potential for change in behaviour.

"Most of the victims are afraid that the situation will become more serious if they enter the [justice] process. This is a misunderstanding, as the police have the authority to protect women from violence. However, in many cases women are ashamed to bring family issues up in court," Saroj said.

According to a UN Women analysis, across 57 countries, crime surveys show that on average 10 per cent of women say they have experienced sexual assault, but of this group, only 11 per cent report the assault to police. In comparison, an average of 8 per cent of women report being a victim of robbery, but 38 per cent of victims report the crime.

-- The Nation 2012-06-16

[OzMick]

These would be the cadets that "passed" the exam before the cheats got caught. Any of them seeking credibility might consider re-sitting the exam, or not.

"......between April and September 2008, there were 18,191 cases of women being assaulted and 4 ,359 cases of rape reported to the police. But only about 200 cases proceeded through the justice system, creating potential ....." for a large amount of debt repayment.

[Sydebolle]

Those cadets passed the test though!

[theblether]

Sticking to the OP, it's a long road, but anything that is done to help the lot of women must be applauded.

It might take decades but every long journey starts with a first step.

[OzMick]

OK here is what I get from these statistics.

On average (of the data given) ~2200 rapes/month

on average 100 prosecutions/month for both rape and assault on females.

Which leads to the conclusion that the BIB is completely incompetent or disinterested in this area of crime.

AND/OR in cases where the perpetrator is identified/arrested, rape is a crime settled extra-judicially by the police by payment to both BIB and victim.

Which is a lot like saying that every woman is a prostitute but sometimes the "John" can't be bothered haggling over the price beforehand.

[chrisinth]

"Of these, 80 students will be selected to join an intensive course for a further two days to deepen their understanding of related laws, female psychology and the root causes of violence against women."

If, in two days they actually do get to understand female psychology, then that truely will be an intensive course!

Being serious though, this is an important step forward, but to be specialized in this will only be achievable after a much longer period of training and understanding.

[jaltsc]

In this case, we are not dealing with a police matter. We are dealing with an ingrained cultural acceptance of physical and sexual violence against women. Compounding this is the resistance to making accusations if someone is going to lose face. Especially if that person is ones husband or a male holding an important position in the community.

Increasing the number of women in the police force will meet with strong resistance from the male officers. This has been the experience of all similar changes in western countries where law enforcement has historically been considered a male bastion.

Even if more women are recruited and trained as police officers, the larger challenge will be changing the cultural beliefs of the general public.

[simple1]

"Of these, 80 students will be selected to join an intensive course for a further two days to deepen their understanding of related laws, female psychology and the root causes of violence against women."

If, in two days they actually do get to understand female psychology, then that truely will be an intensive course!

Being serious though, this is an important step forward, but to be specialized in this will only be achievable after a much longer period of training and understanding.

No mention of investment for acquiring and and training in rape kits for forensics to assist in prosecution

[DP25]

OK here is what I get from these statistics.

On average (of the data given) ~2200 rapes/month

on average 100 prosecutions/month for both rape and assault on females.

Which leads to the conclusion that the BIB is completely incompetent or disinterested in this area of crime.

AND/OR in cases where the perpetrator is identified/arrested, rape is a crime settled extra-judicially by the police by payment to both BIB and victim.

Which is a lot like saying that every woman is a prostitute but sometimes the "John" can't be bothered haggling over the price beforehand.

She is wrong according to police statistics, she is using the statistics for the whole year and attributing them to half of it. You can look at the statistics online. Number of rapes per month is around 300-400.

http://statistic.pol....th/dn_main.htm

The entire year in 2008 had 4644 rapes, for which 2328 people were arrest. For 2008 there were a total of 18,802 assaults, but that is NOT specifically against women, it is total assaults. 10,450 people were arrested for assault. That's over 12,000 people arrested in 2008 for rape or assault. It's hard to believe only 200 of them were prosecuted. Especially in Thailand where police extract confessions from suspects and almost everyone ends up confessing after arrest

[OzMick]

OK here is what I get from these statistics.

On average (of the data given) ~2200 rapes/month

on average 100 prosecutions/month for both rape and assault on females.

Which leads to the conclusion that the BIB is completely incompetent or disinterested in this area of crime.

AND/OR in cases where the perpetrator is identified/arrested, rape is a crime settled extra-judicially by the police by payment to both BIB and victim.

Which is a lot like saying that every woman is a prostitute but sometimes the "John" can't be bothered haggling over the price beforehand.

She is wrong according to police statistics, she is using the statistics for the whole year and attributing them to half of it. You can look at the statistics online. Number of rapes per month is around 300-400.

http://statistic.pol....th/dn_main.htm

The entire year in 2008 had 4644 rapes, for which 2328 people were arrest. For 2008 there were a total of 18,802 assaults, but that is NOT specifically against women, it is total assaults. 10,450 people were arrested for assault. That's over 12,000 people arrested in 2008 for rape or assault. It's hard to believe only 200 of them were prosecuted. Especially in Thailand where police extract confessions from suspects and almost everyone ends up confessing after arrest

The 200 didn't have enough money to buy their way out. Which is less than10% of those arrested, though I'm not claiming they are all guilty.

How can rape and murder be crimes absolved by the payment of compensation and bribes?

[tomross46]

Fox guarding the chickens?

[PoodMaiDai]

They have to first stop selling and trafficking women. Then they can protect them.

Baby steps.

[metisdead]

Conspiracy troll posts have been removed as well as the replies.

[Bagwan]

This reawakened memories of the policeman who cut off a lady's arm when she was on the way home after work because she wanted nothing to do with him and his drunken mates.