VIJAYAWADA: After Mahila Rakshak, city police have now launched community-led action programme by police (CLAPP) to come up with solutions to address sexual harassment of women in public spaces across Vijayawada. The project is a joint collaboration between members of Mahila Rakshak, Mahila Mitra, Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) and is supported by the U.S Consulate General of Hyderabad and Chennai based International Foundation for Crime Prevention & Victim Care (PCVC).
Addressing the gathering, police commissioner D Gautam Sawang said that the efforts of Mahila Rakshak and Mitra teams are credit worthy but members of the team will gain a new-level of technical expertise that will help the existing police community to deliver its best.
“CLAPP is a one-year police community partnership programme which aims to achieve a transformative goal that inspires a paradigm shift in mind-sets in addressing sexual harassment at public spaces. We are arduously working to see a downfall in sexual and gender based violence cases,” said Sawang.
Dr Prasanna Gettu, CEO & founder of International Foundation for Crime Prevention & Victim Care (PCVC) stated that under this initiative, a 12-month long survey would also be undertaken to understand the root cause of gender-based violence in the city.
The team will initially go through intense workshops. Using the SARA model (scanning, analysis, response and assessment), the team will embark on a task to collect data related to nature, extent of harassment and perceptions on sexual harassment.
A better world for ‘Her’
Mahila Rakshak teams are currently active in around 20 police stations across Vijayawada.
The project will be implemented in 5 police station limits to be identified by VMM and Vijayawada police.
Aims to reduce sexual harassment and violence against women.
Objectives of CLAPP are sensitizing on issues of gender-based violence particularly sexual harassment of women and girls in public places.
A collaborative process between members of Mahila Mithra and Mahila Rakshak teams and other relevant stockholders in the community will be observed.
About PCVC
The International Foundation for crime Prevention & Victim Care (PCVC) is a not-for-profit organization working for more than a decade offering support services to women and children impacted by violence.