One-day workshop on the Emerging Perspectives in the Field of Victimology in South Asia at O.P. Jindal Global University
New Delhi: Centre for Victimology and Psychological Studies (CVPS), a research centre under Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P Jindal Global University hosted a full-day workshop entitled ‘The Emerging Perspectives in Victimology in South Asia’ today. The workshop was part of a collaborative effort with Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The purpose of the workshop was to bring together a variety of perspectives to learn about and identify various opportunities in the field of Victimology and contribute to the advancement of the field both in Asia as well as other parts of the globe.
The workshop began with the welcome address by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. C Raj Kumar. He gave an overview as to how essential it is to empower the victims, and to establish a better criminal justice system in South Asia. Prof. C Raj Kumar emphasized that the process of Victimology is largely neglected and requires a strong legal framework for victims and victims’ assistance through the lens of Law. He also highlighted as to how Victimology brings people from multiple disciplines such as Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology and Psychiatry in understanding the outlook of victims and its justice system. He maintained the view that laws and human rights are deeply connected to the discipline of Victimology.
Dr.George Richards (U.S.Full Bright Specialist, currently engaged in research and teaching assignments at the Department of Criminology, Raksha Shakti University, Ahmedabad) delivered the keynote address. Dr.Richards presented the case for greater emphasis on the journey of the refugees. Dr.Richards explained how media shapes our perceptions. He stressed on the comprehensive picture of the Rohingya refugees as a critical component of addressing impending refugee crises including declining public health issues, unhygienic sanitation facilities, economic victimisation, sexual victimisation in the form of asault, prostitution, sexual tourism and various other criminal victimisation. He also touched upon the crime scenes in context of Rohingya refugees and shared that there is underreporting or no reporting in various cases due to fear of the Police. But there is still hope for the refugees as there are various organisations working extensively in India and globally to support the plight of the refugees.
Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy (Registrar, O.P. Jindal Global University) welcomed the delegates with his introductory remarks. He highlighted the prevalence of racial intolerance in the world for refugees. He pressed on the need for accommodating refugees by both developed and developing worlds. Such burden sharing of refugees will adequately help with the on-going refugee crises.
The sessions in the workshop discussed the organised and robust victim assistance services in Bangladesh. The entire workshop inspired participants to reflect and design effective assistance programs for other countries as well. The workshop was well attended by participants from Bangladesh, Delhi NCR, and some parts of Punjab.