Everybody must strive in unison to root out liquor addiction and the government is willing to forego income generated from liquor sale, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Subodham’, an inter-faith response to alcohol, drugs and violence against women and children organised jointly by the UNICEF and the Art of Living Foundation. Mr. Chandy released the initiative’s logo by handing over a copy to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder, Art of Living Foundation.
Sri Ravi Shankar spoke of how addiction to liquor and narcotics increased aggression among people, which in turn led to violence.
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Experts from different fields and spiritual leaders spoke of different forms of physical, sexual and psychological violence. “Children, including boys, are the worst victims since they trust the adult who uses violence against them. Unlike adults, they have less resources and access to other people to report atrocities against them. They have nowhere else to go and they may not be heard to even if they report such incidents, due to patriarchal system in the society. Often, violence takes place behind closed doors, at home, school or even in the community. The perpetrators usually use force, threat or promise to silence the child,” they said.