CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: PSYCHO-SOCIAL IMPACT AND MEDIA REPORTING
National Institute of Psychology (NIP) with its emphasis on applied research intact substantially increased its teaching and training activities including M. Phil and Ph.D. in psychology programs, both the degrees requiring development of high level research skills among students who produce research theses on successful completion of their studies. Alumni Association of National Institute of Psychology (AANIP) are spread all over the world, many of them having splendid accomplishments in their personal and professional fields. AA-NIP is fostering a proactive interaction of NIP’s Alumni Community by proposing and developing initiatives that reflect NIP’s decade’s long legacy. Since its formal inception in 2011, NIP alumni board is trying to organize brain storming sessions on varied nature of psychosocial issues to educate and create awareness among society.
National Institute of Psychology, Quaid-i-Azam University in collaboration with national press club held a talk on child sexual abuse: psychosocial impact and media reporting on March 30th, 2018. Participants included the Patron in Chief Alumni Association Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal, President Alumni Association Dr. Shoaib Kiani, Vice president Alumni Association Dr. Tanvir Akhtar, and number of alumni graduates, faculty, students, and guests. Dr. Humaira Jami (Faculty NIP) convened the discussion. There were many journalists participated in this discussion including President national press club Muhammad Tariq Chaudhry, General secretary press club Mr. Shakeel Anjum, senior journalists and anchor person Amir Zia. Fouzia Kalssom, and Maira Imran. With journalist community expert on child sexual abuse and human right activist, Maliha Hussain attended the event. Speakers in round table discussion emphasized upon coordination from civil society, academia, and media institutions to eliminate menace of child abuse in society and also urged media to play responsible role in this regard.
Highlighted points of discussion are as follows:
Overall, discussion was ended up with main emphasis on application of media psychology that will help the media personnel to train in reporting for the effective role of media. Similarly, the grass root level of parenting is important to educate the children about their personal safety. In addition, all stakeholders (i.e., parents, teachers, educationist, professional care givers, health experts, policy makers, human right activists, and non-governmental organization) of the society are equally important to play their pivotal role in controlling this social menace.
Reported by: Dr. Irum Naqvi