Increasing sexual violence and delayed justice is taking a toll on the mental health of the victims: Psychiatrists

New Delhi, 10 December, 2019: Increasing incidences of rape and sexual violence against women has led to increasing mental problems like depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder and even suicidal tendencies.

In the 3rd National Seminar on Women’s Mental Health, organized by the Indian Psychiatric Society at Habitat Center in the capital yesterday where psychiatrists from across the country reported that the number of women seeking psychiatrist’s intervention for treatment during the past few years has increased by 30 to 40 percent. According to the experts, the risk of blood pressure, heart disease, insomnia, depression and anxiety increases by two to three times among women who have been sexually abused.

The seminar was attended by psychiatrists and mental health workers from across the country. In this seminar, technical sessions on various topics related to mental health of women, surrounding environment, psychological effects of sexual violence, violence at homes and work places and mental health were organized.

Informs Dr Shobhana Mittal, Psychiatrist and Organising Secretary, “Due to fear or stigma, victims continue to be silent. We need justice system to be more efficient, where justice is delivered timely. It is not the severity of punishment, but certainty of punishment, that will help restore faith of people in the justice system and give courage to more women to speak up against violence and trauma.”

Dr Neena Bohra, Organising Chairperson, IPS’ National Symposium on Women’s Mental Health said,” This year the IPS’ National Symposium on Women’s Mental Health is a landmark event as Delhi is not only the capital of India, but unfortunately also a city with the maximum number of cases of sexual violence against women. While dealing with crime against women, we must not forget that these crimes have a deep psychological impact on Women’s Mental Health. Psychological care must be provided to victims of sexual abuse otherwise it can lead to life-long emotional scars.”

Dr Sunil Mittal, Senior Psychiatrist at CIMBS said,” Not just the victim of trauma, but each girl growing up in such a society faces the backlash, growing up in fear and constantly looking over her shoulders. This is not psychologically healthy and affects not just women but the growth of society as a whole. Therefore, for the nation to progress, its women need to be safe, respected and healthy- both physically as well as psychologically”

Informs Bhopal based senior psychiatrist Dr Rajni Chatterji said, “Don’t just tell girls what not to do, tell boys, talk to them!!Sexual abuse and violence of any kind including domestic is major risk factor for psychiatric disorders in women especially depression and also anxiety disorders and thus we need women friendly remedies, faster action, policies to curb this.”

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)