Smt. Lavanya Is the Additional Superintendent of Police, Special Investigation division, Crime Branch, CID. She hails from Chennai and has pursued her graduation in Computer Science and Public Administration.

Lavanya looks after special investigation—cybercrime in particular. She joined as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in 2009 and served in Vellore District as DSP Ranipet for three years. She then joined as DSP Cyber Crime cell CBCID in 2013 and was promoted last year.

She has completed all levels of courses on cybercrime investigation and is a regular faculty at TN Police Academy and Judicial Academy.

In an exclusive interview, Lavanya talks to Marie Banu about the need for gender equality.

What are your thoughts on HeForShe Campaign? What steps should we take towards achieving gender equality? 

The United Nation’s ‘HeForShe’ Campaign has been very effective as it invites people around the world to stand together to create a bold, visible force for gender equality. It asks men and women to take active steps in promoting gender equality and women empowerment. It aims to achieve equality by encouraging men and boys as agents of change and take action against negative inequalities faced by women and girls.

I believe that gender equality will be achieved in our country when women have equal rights in their home, do not experience domestic violence, and are represented at the highest levels of business and politics.  For this to happen, we need the support of men.

Both men and women should know what they want for themselves as well as what they want for the society. They should also understand the field realities that prevail for women – not only in cities, but also in remote villages – so that they can come out and engage in activities that promote women empowerment. This should be gauged.

Campaigns should not be restricted to urban areas alone. Statistics reveal that most urban women are aware of their rights and are improving in a lot of fields. Government and non-government organisations must therefore organise campaigns in rural areas, focusing on education and sanitation for women.  Once a woman is educated, she becomes aware of her role in the society.

What do you think is the role of women and youth in enhancing social responsibility?

A majority of our population fit into the youth category and women form a sizeable number. Women should have a social responsibility to empower other women.

Today, many women are coming out in the form of NGOs or entrepreneurs and including women in their programmes. They need not have to go out of their village or city to engage in such acts, but can start working from their very own neighbourhood. Once a woman realises her responsibility to develop the potential of other women and children in her vicinity, she can definitely bring about social change.

During the Chennai Floods in 2015, many youth volunteered to help the affected people.  We should tap their potential and streamline their efforts towards certain social causes, more specific to our State.  All these will lead to a change in the role of women and youth in our society.

About cybercrime scene in TN when compared to other States?

The cybercrime scene in our state is much better when compared to other states.  As technology grows, and people carry one or more gadgets in their hand, the intensity of cybercrime also increases. It is not that someone has to hack or steal your data for it to be a cybercrime; a simple abusive message is also one.

In Tamil Nadu, where we have less cybercrime cases reported when compared to other states, the number of affected people are on the rise day by day.

Specifically, they can be categorised into two types – financial implications, and non-financial implications where the social media is involved. When we say financial implications, I mean cases where victims reveal their bank account details, OTP, PIN or CCV number to the accused. Although a lot of awareness has been created, people are still falling prey. 

I advise people not to panic when they receive phone calls stating that their card will be blocked. They should immediately contact their bank customer care number or visit their bank in person. In my experience, banks do not generally call their customers and inform about blocking their card. They convey such information only in the form of a letter.  Be careful while using e-wallets and the money you deposit in it. It is good to choose trustworthy e-wallets.

About non-financial crimes – like sending abusive messages, stalking, voyeurism, social media offences – almost 70 percent affects women and children. The usage of tabs and mobile phones are on the increase amongst women and children, even though there are age limits specified for certain websites.

What is your advise on use of social media?

Women and children generally believe that people around them are good. Criminals study about them from the social media before making contact. So, be careful while revealing your personal details on the internet. If you convert your details into zeros and ones; anything you post on the internet will stay for ever. 

We are a conservative society, but as the social media is on the increase, we tend to disclose a lot of issues without understanding the ramification of it. It is like literally putting up a banner on the street about yourself.

As a parent, watch what your kid is doing and check their internet usage. The best suggestion is to spend quality time with them and notice their behaviour pattern. If at all they fall prey to cybercrime, don’t blame them as they are too young to understand. Instead, help them to come out of the issue.

I will not say don’t use internet or social media; I will rather say use it for the purpose of it. Never make technology use you; make use of the technology. Definitely it would create a social circle and you can learn a lot as it creates an international platform.

Make sure to whom you are talking, more specifically in chat rooms and social media. Be careful about what you are posting. Ask yourself: what am I posting? Why should I post it? Is it necessary? Is it hurting my sentiments or that of others? 

What are the social issues you are passionate about?

Self-awareness is the key for any development. At first, one needs to understand who he is; his capabilities, capacities, role in the family, and role in the immediate society.  More specifically, I am interested in issues related to safety and security of women and children.