Figures with the Child Rights Commission indicate that 64% of the sex abusers of children in the State are related to them.
Sobha Koshy, chairperson of the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, says it’s shocking that those who should ensure children’s safety are becoming their abusers.
“The so-called safe spaces such as home and school are no more safe for children. Only 50% sexual violence cases reach the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Cases are suppressed at homes, schools, and police stations. How to reach out to the most private of spaces – home – becomes a tough task for child rights activists,” she noted.
Cases in Thrissur
CWC chairman P.O. George said 128 cases were reported from Thrissur district in 2017. “Of the victims, 96 were girls and 32 were boys, dispelling the myth that boys are safe. More incidents involving boys go unreported,” he noted. Boys in peer groups with risk behaviours such as drug dependence, addiction to mobile phones, and behaviour disorders are in greater danger. Disturbingly, 39% child victims in 2017 from Thrissur district are below 12 years of age. Even small children are not spared. When 13 child victims are in the 0-6 age group, 37 are in 7-12 age group. Another 32 are from the 12-15 age group and 46 are between the ages of 16 and 18.
Neighbours and family members constitute 70% of abusers. Teachers, caretakers at schools, and lovers also turn attackers. Only 9% abusers are strangers.
Mr. George noted that not even a single case was reported from CBSE schools in Thrissur as child rights organisations, including Childline, have no access to most of them.
Unresponsive family
Ironically, though children are aware of their rights, our social system is not still ready to respond to their issues, Ms. Koshy said. Citing a case from Wayanad, she said a girl who was frequently abused by a relative was forced to report at the police station by herself, as none from home or school responded to her repeated complaints.
Delayed trial is a main cause of concern in child abuse cases, noted Pious Mathew, Special Prosecutor in POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) cases.
Only 14% cases settled
Only 14% cases have been settled in a year in the State, while 11% is the conviction rate. Among the 4,275 cases registered in 2016, only 620 were settled by the court. Abusers were convicted in only 73 cases. This indicates the need for more exclusive POCSO courts and speedy trial, noted Mr. Mathew. Only Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode have exclusive courts. Delayed trials lead to threats and negotiations, he added.
