Faced with disquieting statistics on child sexual abuse in Puducherry, the authorities are planning renewed measures to counter the issue.
In three years, 47 cases of child sexual abuse had been reported to the Child Welfare Committee. In February alone, four cases of abuse have been reported from Puducherry. Many of the cases involve young children.
In a case which emerged in the first week of February, the victim was a three-year-old girl, and the accused, a 70-year-old man from Bahour.
Programmes in schools
CWC chairperson Vidyaa Ramkumar, who had met with District Collector S. Sundaravadivelu, Member Secretary of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has planned an awareness programme in all schools in the next academic year.
It will involve students and Parent Teacher Associations. Meanwhile, the CWC is also planning to hold talks with local cable networks on screening documentaries to raise awareness among children. Hoardings would be put up and pamphlets issued to highlight the problem.
“Films help children gain a better understanding. With holidays approaching and children watching television, it can be screened between programmes. The awareness is so low that in a recent case where the child was 8 months pregnant, neither the child nor the parent was aware of the situation,” said Ms. Ramkumar.
“It is disheartening, especially to know that many cases involve very young children. We have to start educating children about good and bad touch at an early age,” said R. Santhi, Deputy Director, Directorate of Social Welfare.
The government is also planning to screen short films on sexual abuse in schools. “We will start with rural schools.
The film will inform children about what should be done in case such a situation arises, and provide them with basic information.
Rather than just giving talks, we felt a film would have a wider reach in a shorter time, and be more efficient,” said Ms. Santhi.
Painting competition
In November, the Directorate of Social Welfare and the Union Territory of Puducherry Child Protection Society (UTPCPS) had organised a painting competition on ‘Protective Measures against Child Sexual Abuse’ to get an insight into children’s thoughts about the issue.
“People are now more aware about child sexual abuse. With the CWC, there is now a proper mechanism to address the issue. Earlier, parents did not know where to complain.
There was also hesitation on their part as they feared about the outcome if a complaint was made.
Today, the parents are coming forward, and want to punish the perpetrators,” said Ms. Santhi.
