LU’s psychology dept to lend a helping hand to victims

LUCKNOW: Psychology department of the Lucknow University is preparing a comprehensive strategy to tackle crime against women and how teachers can proceed with counselling of victims. The Uttar Pradesh police have decided to seek assistance of experts from universities.

Faculty members of LU’s psychology department held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the issue of crime against women under the chairmanship of director general of police OP Singh.

Head of LU’s psychology department Madhurima Pradhan, professor Pallavi Bhatnagar, and assistant professors Megha Singh and Archana Shukla were present in the meeting.

“Whenever we talk of women’s safety, there are four levels at which we can work – prevention, protection, early intervention and rebuilding the lives of victims/survivors,” Pradhan said.

“We will hold a meeting with all faculty members to discuss how we can proceed with the counselling of victims. We are happy that state police asked for our support to solve the problem that confronts the society,” she said, adding it was a welcome step as things would change if everyone joined hands to deal with problems facing the society.

Additional superintendent of police and state police spokesman Rahul Srivastava said: “The state police will sign an MoU with Lucknow University and other universities to provide counselling and assistance to victims as well as to devise outreach programmes across the state.”

He said at prevention level, school outreach programmes could be organised for gender sensitisation and respect for the self-esteem of opposite sex. “Community awareness and mobilisation programmes can be organised to utilise community resources to provide a safe environment for women,” said Srivastava.

A faculty member of the department Manini Srivastava said counselling sessions could be organised at rehabilitation level to help victims deal with the trauma.

“Counselling sessions can be organised for family members so that victims are handled sensitively. Relevant research projects can be designed by the department involving interagency cooperation to develop a better and safer world for women,” she added.