The missed lesson for Degree

Last updated on November 21, 2023

One morning Hithawathi received a call from a father, whose voice was trembling with worry and desperation. That father named Silva began to share his family’s mess with Hithawathi.

Mr. Silva: Miss, my daughter is a university student, and she’s exceptionally bright and talented. We were overjoyed when she got accepted into the university. However, due to a traumatic incident that occurred yesterday, she’s now refusing to attend classes, locking herself in her room, and she seems utterly shattered. She’s constantly in tears and appears terrified. Can you please help us?

Hithawathi felt a deep sense of empathy, realizing the gravity of the situation. Then Hithawathi requested to speak with Mr. Silva’s daughter who had experienced this difficult incident. After much persuasion from her parents, she reluctantly agreed to talk.

Hithawathi: Hello! Can you please share your name with us?

Thilini: I’m Thilini.

Hithawathi: Thilini, whenever you’re ready, could you kindly explain what happened?

Thilini remained silent for a moment, her emotions overwhelming her. She began to sob, and Hithawathi offered words of comfort and reassurance. After some time, Thilini gathered herself and began to recount her upsetting experience.

Thilini: Miss, last night, after returning from my lectures, I was working on some assignments that were due today. That’s when I received a message on Instagram from a fellow student in a senior batch. She conveyed some shocking news that left me nearly paralyzed with fear. She claimed that my intimate photos had been uploaded to an adult website and demanded that I send her more pictures to remove the existing ones. I was confused and terrified. She convinced me that if the university found out, my academic future would be in ruins. I was so scared that I sent her a compromising picture, believing it was our secret. I was upset but tried to push it out of my mind, thinking she would help me.

Thilini continued with a trembling voice, her distress evident in her words:

Thilini: The next morning, that same friend told me that her Instagram account had been hacked. I can’t believe this is happening; Now that hacker can see my private image. it’s like a living nightmare. I felt completely helpless and lost. I can’t bring myself to face the university, and sometimes I wish I didn’t have to face anything at all.

Hithawathi realized the urgency of Thilini’s emotional state and began by offering support and advice:

Hithawathi: Thilini, first and foremost, you need to calm your mind. Then, we must report and block this person immediately. Do not engage in any further communication with them. If your photos are misused on any social media platform, assure that we will help you in removing them. If you wish to take legal action against the perpetrator, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Computer Crime Unit of CID. Additionally, for mental relief, please consider reaching out to 1926, the Special Mental Health Hotline.

Finally, Thilini expressed her gratitude for Hithawathi’s guidance during this most difficult time, knowing that she had someone to lean on in her hour of need.

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