CEHAT is running a 24*7 helpline to respond to women and girls facing violence .Please call this number 9029073154 for support and assistance.
CEHAT conducted a three-day intensive training for the health care providers on comprehensive response to violence against women and children, their roles and problem solving methods. There were 37 participants who were deputed from government hospitals from various states of India namely Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Delhi. The participants were doctors and nurses from departments such as Gynecology, Pediatrics, Forensic, Surgery, and Casualty that are likely to come in contact with survivors of violence. The objective of the course was to build the perspective to identify the survivors of violence based on health complaints and enhance skills to provide first line support.
The methodology was experiential and interactive, informing participants of theoretical concepts with scope for hands-on learning through discussion of case studies and role plays, followed by Q&A. This provided opportunity for discussion and debate. The participants were inquisitive and enthusiastic and shared various examples of instances that they had intervened in.
U.Vindhya, Professor and former Chairperson, School of Gender Studies at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad campus, oriented the participants about the difference between sex and gender and root causes of gender based violence. Participants found the concept of intersectionality interesting as it brought forth the underlying complexities and helped place the survivor in the social context. This was followed by a session on understanding the link between violence and health and recognizing types and forms of violence.
The second day was facilitated by the CEHAT team. The day began with a session on legal responsibilities of healthcare providers, providing clarity on their role vis. a vis. various laws related to VAW. This was followed by day long practice sessions on strengthening communication with survivors. Participants were introduced to the LIVES model (WHO) to provide first line psychological support. The model was demonstrated by Dr. Sneha Khedekar, the nodal person of Dilaasa at M.T. Agrawal Hospital, Mulund and Matron Sneha Chandan, core group member of Dilaasa at Rajawadi Hospital.
Following the demonstration, participants tried their hand at practicing the model in small groups of threes where they got a chance to play the role of survivor, doctor, observer with the help of case studies.
The third day focused on the response to survivors of sexual violence. The session was facilitated by senior forensic expert, Dr. Jagadeesh Reddy. Participants were familiarized with the nuances of the protocol and guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health. They got hands-on experience of drafting opinions through sample proformas assigned to them in groups.
The major learning of the health care providers was the understanding of violence, patriarchy being the root cause, strengthening skills on how to ask survivors about violence and communicate first line support and understanding of medico legal care – both theoretical and application.
Participants gave feedback that the well structured training encouraged them to critically analyze and apply the concepts to their work with enhanced understanding.
Some health care providers also showed keen interest in setting up hospital-based centers back at their hospitals. They shared that there is a shift in perspective which helped them understand their therapeutic role as well as how to reach out to survivors in a more sensitive and empowering manner.
Violence is widely recognised as a global public health concern. Evidence indicates that violence – in the form of war, conflict situations, homicide, suicide, domestic violence, maltreatment, and communal violence- is widespread and leads to significant adverse health and social consequences for survivors and their communities. According to National Crime Records Bureau NCRB (2015) 34,651 cases of rape, 91,107 cases of molestation were registered. Additionally 1,13,403 cases of domestic violence were registered across India . This is indicative only of those who reached the police to record a complaint. The National Family Health Survey (NHFS) - 4 (2015-2016) recorded that almost 30% women continue to live in abusive households. It is a well established fact that any form of violence has health implications for survivors.
As survivors of violence approach the health care system for relief of the resulting physical and psychological trauma, health care professionals play an important role in the treatment of such health complaints, rehabilitation of victims, and prevention of further trauma (secondary and tertiary levels of care).
Violence against women has been recognised as a health issue under the National Health Policy, 2017. The link between violence and health has been acknowledged along with the recognition to create services to respond to survivors. Healthcare providers have a legal mandate to respond to survivors of violence under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Criminal Law Amendment Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. It is imperative that healthcare providers be trained to identify and respond to different forms of VAW and children, and be equipped with the requisite skills to respond to the needs of survivors.
In some states, the National Health Mission has also recognised the need for healthcare providers to be trained in responding to VAW. Effective implementation of the One Stop Centres (under the MWCD OSC scheme) requires close coordination with the hospital within which or near which they are located.
CEHAT has been instrumental in developing two evidence-based models for the health sector and is currently working with various states to strengthen the healthcare response to Violence against Women. We view this course as an opportunity to disseminate our learnings and provide technical inputs and skills to healthcare providers on responding to VAW and children.
CEHAT is pleased to announce its ‘Three Day National Course on Comprehensive Healthcare Response to Violence against Women and Children’. The course is designed to provide participants an understanding on Violence Against Women (VAW) as a health and human rights issue and equip them with skills to respond to specific needs of survivors of violence in view of changes in the law, guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as One Stop Centre Scheme established with support of Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) along with other crisis centers set up with assistance from Department of Health and Family Welfare from states and union territories.
The pedagogy of the course will be participatory with a combination of lectures, group work and discussions, case studies, role plays, individual exercises and sharing, film screening.
Core faculty will include senior doctors and professionals from the field of Forensics, Gynecology, law, human rights and social work.
We have limited seats for 30 participants. Kindly register for the course along with your resume. You will be intimated regarding confirmation of participation.
CEHAT will bear the cost of accommodation during the course. Participants are requested to bear the cost of travel.
English (working knowledge of English & Hindi must)
Application Forms are available here
The completed application form can be sent via email to: conference@cehat.org
Application Deadline: 31st July 2018
Sarvodaya - Capacity Building Centre
St. Pius X College Campus Gate No. 2,
Near Virwani Industrial Estate,
Goregaon East, Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400063
Phone: 022 2927 1217
CEHAT is running a 24*7 helpline to respond to women and girls facing violence .Please call this number 9029073154 for support and assistance.