UNAIR NEWS – Faculty of Psychology (FPsi) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) held another community service activity on Friday, July 23, 2021. After discussing the dangers and prevention of sexual harassment on campus in the previous event, this online webinar was about ‘Psychological First Aid for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Harassment’.
In the event intended for UNAIR Help Center members and volunteers, UNAIR Psychology lecturer, Dr. Ike Herdiana, M.Psi., Psychologist, presented a material entitled ‘Sexual Harassment on Students and Its Psychological Impact’.
Dr. Ike revealed how sexual harassment against students could happen in various forms. The harassment can be in the form of comments, gestures, actions to attention intended to offend, hurt, or intimidate.
“This problem must be our concern because it can happen to both women and men. With technological advancement, sexual harassment can now also happen in cyberspace, such as sending or distributing inappropriate text messages, images, or videos,” she explained.
The psychological impact of sexual harassment survivors may appear in various forms and levels, ranging from depression, anxiety, denial, fear, shame, frustration, isolation to self-blame. In some cases, prolonged trauma can lead to PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Furthermore, in the second session, Chandrania Fastari, M.Psi., Psychologist, as a PSTP2A psychologist of Gresik Regency spoke on ‘Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Victims of Sexual Harassment’.
PFA or Psychological First Aid refers to a humane and supportive response to fellow human beings who are suffering or need support. According to Chandrania, not only professionals can perform PFA.
“The key to the PFA is actually stabilization. How do we give survivors a sense of security, build access to support, and generate a sense of empowerment in survivors,” she explained.
The implementation of the PFA begins with a preparation or simple research by looking at psychological conditions, gathering information on the case that befell the survivors. Then, PFA is performed to give a sense of security by paying attention to the survivor’s privacy, calming the tone of speech, avoiding arguments, or helping the survivor calm down by breathing relaxation.
“Finally, make sure the survivors have access to help and information as a follow-up to the case and psychological treatment for the survivors,” she concluded.
The community service activity, which was held free of charge, became the support of Faculty of Psychology UNAIR to achieve some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Good Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality. (*)
Author: Intang Arifia
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
