“If I have gathered courage to speak today against all forms of violence against children, especially sexual abuse, it is because I believe that human beings can change for the better and realise their utter common oneness. If Christmas is celebrated as the day when Jesus the Christ child was born into this world to bring peace, we, as children, need your help, partnership and support to usher in new ways of building a just community.” These words of a child whose letter was read out during a candle light vigil against child abuse on Wednesday summed up the aim of the gathering.
The event was organised by a network of people’s and women’s movements, including Vimochana, Praja Rajakiya Vedike (PRV), All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA), Karnataka Sex Workers Union (KSWU), Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum (KSMF), Samara, and South Asia Citizens Web.
