Jamia begins training programme for police officials

New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) The Jamia Millia Islamia today began an eight-day training programme for police functionaries with the Crime Against Women Cell, aiming at sensitizing them against violence against women among other issues.

In the first batch of the training, conducted by the Department of Social Work, 30 ACPs, inspectors and sub-inspectors are participating along with faculty members from the department.

The issues to be addressed include understanding violence against women, counseling processes, alchoholism and its effects on married life, sexuality and its manifestations, protection of women from domestic abuse, carving out a distinctive role for helplines, mental illness and its manifestations in matrimonial life.

A Jamia spokesperson said though Crime Women Cell has been operative in Delhi since 1983, it was an increase in the incidents of dowry deaths that had led to the recognition of a need for a specialized service to women in crisis situations.

''While being entrusted with the role of providing reprieve to women facing matrimonial disputes, the functionaries were earnestly grappling with the performance of this unique role,'' she said.

''Principally trained in investigative techniques, they recognize the need for specialized training to deal with intimate issues of human relationships....,'' she added.

The programmes' objectives include strengthening an in-depth understanding about the factors (hidden and manifest) precipitating matrimonial disputes, to develop basic counseling skills for providing support to victims of matrimonial disputes, to build skills of crisis intervention and to carve out a unique role for the helpline team which complements the role of the Investigating Officer. UNI NR MSJ AS1507