No permanent solution to pornography: Bhopal top cop

BHOPAL: Zonal IG Jaideep Prasad said on Wednesday that there is no solution to pornography addiction which has invaded the minds of youth in Bhopal.
Prasad was addressing a workshop called ‘Effective Communication Strategies to Counter and Prevent Gender-based Violence’ in Bhopal.
The workshop was organised by Global India Fund along with Samhita Social Ventures, Girl Rising in partnership with US Consulate, New Delhi.
While addressing the gathering, Prasad said, “Use of pornographic sites is a case fit to be taken at national level, as it is one of the major reasons for crime against women. It is unfortunate that we have still not been able to find a permanent solution to this issue so far. All we can do is to seek help from NGOs.”
The workshop aimed at identifying and discussing prevalent forms of gender-based violence in the community including underlining root causes of the violence and gaps in policies and programs.
Highlighting the need for social pressure to ban use of pornographic websites, Prasad said social pressure groups can be of great help as a temporary solution to curb the menace.
He also emphasised on the requirement to include law education in school curriculum and NCERT textbooks, which would help address the issue of gender-based violence. Prasad added that the Madhya Pradesh Police has written to state government in this regard.
Regarding drug addiction, he said youth in Bhopal were on powder keg due to drug addiction. “Besides youth, children are also subjected to drug abuse. We have very less number of rehabilitation canters and the aftercare homes are also not much effective. This is not sufficient to control drug abuse,” he stressed.
Addressing participants and NGO workers virtually, James Fennell, cultural affairs officer at the US Consulate in Mumbai said, “I am pleased that Indian audience and the visiting American workshop leaders have this opportunity to share their perspective on women safety which is an issue that deserves attention and action worldwide.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Karen A McDonnell, associate professor George Washington University, department of prevention and community health, said that violence against women and girls is one of the biggest injustice of present times.
“Violence against women and girls is the biggest injustice of our times. I am taking quite a bit back to US to share what I have learned from community leaders in India,” he said.
The workshop focussed on facilitating discussions around globe experiences when working with different stake holders to address gender violence. State police also vowed to work in coordination with the international, national and local NGOs in this regard.