In the wake of cases about child sexual assault being reported in schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked schools to screen Komal, a 10-minute short film that deals with the topic of child sexual abuse.
A CBSE notification states that schools should ensure that every child views the “instructive and informative” film so that they are better equipped to help and protect themselves and their friends if such a situation arises. The animated short film by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, made with support from Childline, has won the national film award under the “best educational film” category.
Many school managements, who have already begun classes on good touch and bad touch and gender sensitisation issues, have welcomed the move and said that it could be used as a tool to supplement these programmes. They also said that the move will help children guard themselves and remain cautious.
Manju Sharma, Principal, Delhi Public School, Bengaluru South, said they screened the film, prior to which counsellors and doctors talk to children and prepare them for the film after gauging the class. “They also have an informal chat with the students and few of them have spoken out about their experiences. In some instances, it is their imagination but sometimes they are real issues that are sensitive and need to be handled carefully,” she said, adding that the film was screened for students from class two to seven.
Welcoming the move, Kripa Alva, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said there was a need to encourage reporting of such cases and complaints so that they can be tackled in a more sensitive manner. She also said there was a need to raise awareness on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act so that fear is instilled among the perpetrators of the crime.
