It is unfortunate to note that children across all age groups have fallen prey to child or sexual abuse. In most cases, the predators happen to be the members of the victim’s family or friends’ parents or neighbours or teachers or in the worst case the father himself, says S. Sumitra, Professor in Andhra University College of Law.
Citing a few examples of child abuse cases at Integral Institute of Advanced Management as part of the awareness programme on eradicating atrocities against children, she cautioned that when children feel insecure towards their own lives, one can rest assured that the future of the nation is at stake as well. “There is a need to provide safe environment for children both at home and at school. It is imperative to make children feel comfortable with parents and allow them to share the most embarrassing moments without any second thoughts,” she said.
Organised jointly by Bala Vikas Foundation and Nature, a voluntary organisation, the programme saw experts – Narava Prakasa Rao of BVF, member of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Bala Raju and R.D. Sampath Kumar of Visakha Forum for Child Rights -- talking on the subject at length.
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Further, she said that to stop violence against children one should identify the offenders as soon as possible and help safeguard the little ones against sexual abuse by facilitating appropriate redressal mechanism.
Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju, who attended the event as chief guest, said that more attention should be paid while recruiting teachers in schools as they often turn out to be the offenders. “Apart from the educational qualification, psychological and behavioural attitude of teachers should also be taken into account to provide safe environment for children at schools,” he said.
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