What to do if your child’s privacy is allegedly violated
Chandigarh University students held massive protests in Mohali on Saturday and Sunday night, after alleged 'leaked objectionable videos' of women students went viral.
The protesting students alleged that a student made videos of girl students while taking a bath in the hostel. The video was later made viral on social media.
The protests broke out over initial inputs that videos of 60 girl students were allegedly shared by the accused with her friend in Himachal Pradesh. The university, in an official statement, said that no "objectionable video was made of any students except a personal video shot by a girl, which she shared with her boyfriend".
The protesting students have also claimed that after the videos went viral, girl students living in the hostel attempted suicide. However, police has refuted the suicide attempts claim.
Three people - a girl student of the university and two men - have been held by the police so far. The girls' hostel warden has also been suspended for alleged misbehaviour with students.
Punjab State Women Commission chairperson Manisha Gulati visited the university campus. “I understand parents’ concern and I want to assure them that the incident is being investigated by the police,” she said, adding, “it is a matter of deep investigation why the woman, who made the video, did so. Whether or not she shot videos of other girls is a matter of investigation.”
If your child is going through any possible case of abuse, bullying, or harassment, here are some ways that can help you support them as a parent:
Listen with compassion
It is important that you listen carefully to your child’s concerns and problems. Even if it is an overwhelming subject for you, it is better to act strong in front of your child to assure them that you will get through this together and that your child is not alone in this.
Listen to all their pointers, it will also help you in taking the right action to prevent any such scenario in the future, and to ensure your child is feeling safe.
Tell them you are there for them
Reassure your child that it was the right thing for them to confide in you. Appreciate them for telling their concerns and feelings to you and tell them that you are there to take care of them. Even though it is important to empathize with your child’s needs, do not go overboard and say things that can scare them further. Since your child may already be hurting, you need to help them regain their strength and confidence. Make sure you also do not push them to actions and decisions, and allow them to manage at their own pace.
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Tell them it's not their fault
If your child is possibly being bullied, harassed or abused, it's important that you help them understand that it is never their fault. They may be susceptible to doubting themselves and their actions. However, bullying or harassing is always more about the person who engages in the behavior and not the person being targeted. Instead of saying things like “you should have done this or that,” you need to focus on how to address what has happened and potentially help stop it from escalating.
Report the incident and protect the child from further harm
Depending on the situation, take action so that the hurtful behavior stops immediately and doesn't continue. Several parents may try to suppress the event and not report, in a way to protect their child. It may be a good idea to talk to your child calmly and see what they want to do. In any case, suppressing or hiding is never a good idea as it may perpetuate bullying or harassment in the future, and your child may continue feeling unsafe. There is a broad range of harassment laws in India that protect you from abuse.
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Praise progress
Teach your child to stand up for their rights, privacy and protection. Stand by them always and you will see them improving. As they become stronger, appreciate them, which will act as a positive reinforcement. Let them know that you're proud of them. Sometimes, your child may get subjected to unfortunate situations which were beyond your imagination or preparation. However, by simply supporting your child, you can together combat every bully or abuser or harasser.
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