Forensis Forum Events

News & Photos: Dr. Saritha D’Souza, Reader & Head, Post Graduate Dept. of Criminology and Forensic Science

The Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru in collaboration with Women Police, Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate, had organized ‘Awareness on Child Abuse” as a part of Extension service entitled ‘A Project on Crime Free Mangaluru’, held on 3rd August 2019 from 10am to 12.30pm at Dakshina Kannada Jilla Panchayath Hiriya Prathamika Shale, Pandeshwar, Mangaluru.

Chief Guest of the programme Smt. Srikala K.P. Police Sub-Inspector, Women Police Station, Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate addressed stating that Children must be double careful while walking on the road if a stranger approaches or gives some things to eat should not accept instead report to ‘Rani Abbakka Force’ which is launched in the city for the protection of women and children. Abusers will be in many form among known and unknown people, if they call to any strange place must not go she said. She stressed that Police are friends of children; hence children should not get scared or hesitate to approach police at any time in case of any help.  

Poornima, Asst. Sub Inspector of Police, who had several years of experience working with women and children expressed that children should to be careful of different tricks played by the perpetrator, in case of any problems must not keep it with themselves instead express it to the people close to them in spite of a threat from the perpetrator.  

Shalini H. K Headmistress, D.K Z. P Hiriya Prathamika Shale, Pandeshwar, Mangaluru appreciated the initiative taken by the faculty and students of Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, school of Social work, Mangaluru in educating the children with regard to child abuse. We have been giving them the awareness with regard to the issues related to children but if the other institutions and the police themselves convey it to the children it would be effective, she said.

Dr. Saritha D’Souza, Head of the Department of Criminology and Forensic Science spoke to the children stressing on the aspects of good touch and the bad touch. The perpetrators target the children as they are more vulnerable to be abused. Hence, children should learn to express their problems with their parents, teachers or with the people with whom they are more close, she said.

Amitesh Shetty, Asst. Professor & faculty coordinator of the programme gave the introductory note on the purpose of organizing this programme by the department which is aiming to cover all the other institutions in the city as well under the banner ‘A project on Crime Free Mangaluru’, not only on the child abuse but also other crimes such as drug abuse, cyber-crimes and so on.
Jayanthi, Women Police Constable, Mahadevi, Representative of Rani Abbakka Force,  Balajinarayan, Asst. Professor of the department, teachers of the school and around 50 children were present on this occasion.

The programme began with a group discussion on the issues related to children, awareness was conveyed to the children by a mime and a group dance performed by the students of MSc Criminology and Forensic Science, School of Social Work, Mangaluru. Gowthami welcomed the gathering and delivered the vote of thanks. Likitha, student coordinator of the programme compered the event..