Right guidance at the right time saved my marriage,” said Neha, one of the women who sought professional help of the counsellors from the Delhi Police. The Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) unit of the Delhi Police offer counselling to women who are facing trouble in their personal and professional lives.
In the case of Neha, a 30-year-old HR executive, her marriage to Kshitij was going through a rocky phase. The everyday quarrels had escalated so such so that their families had to intervene to save their four-year-old marriage.
At the behest of a distant relative in the Delhi Police, in May 2016, Neha approached the SPUWAC unit with her woes.
On an average, five to six complaints regarding marital discord are received by the SPUWAC unit. To ensure that each complainant is heard and dealt with satisfactorily, six counselors are always present at the Nankpura unit complex.
Sitting with her two-year-old daughter, Neha shared about the counselling experience imparted to the couple over a period of six months. She said, “Initially, I was reluctant to go out and share my troubles with a third person. After due consideration, I sought the help of the women counselors. They were more professional and gave us sound advice on how to handle everyday stress and anger, which further aggravates our communication. With the help of the TISS counsellor, within less than six months, my husband and me mutually resolved our differences and reached a common ground.”
According to a senior officer of the SPUWAC unit, the first batch of counsellors, comprising of six members, were inducted in 2009. Over the years, 22 counsellors, a few from TISS and others from different universities, equipped with a degree in Social Work and Psychology were asked to assist the Unit situated at Nanakpura.
Talking to The Pioneer, DCP Varsha Sharma said, “Since the induction of the Counselors from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in the SPUWAC, 30 per cent cases of marital discord have been peacefully sorted out or a common ground has been mutually reached with the assistance of the counselors. Currently, we have 22 counselors from TISS across the eleven districts, two for each district.”