Child abuse is rampant, and the need of the hour is to close the gap between the existing laws and their effective implementation, G. Hymavathi, Chairperson of Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Children, said on Tuesday.
Addressing a day-long workshop on “Child Safeguard Policies in Schools,” organised by the Commission in collaboration with the Education wing and the Department of Women and Child Welfare, she said despite existing laws, cases of corporal punishment and sexual abuse of children in educational institutions have been surfacing regularly.
Awareness, she emphasised, was the key. “Unless people are made aware of the laws related to the crimes that we see now on a day-to-day basis, they will not be able to make effective use of them,” she said.
Secretary for Women and Child Welfare Department K. Sunitha said children should be taught about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ at an early age; parents should not thrust their own interest on them. Department Commissioner H. Arun Kumar said one must ensure healthy environment for a child’s upbringing. State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director M.V. Rajya Lakshmi elaborated on the slew of Central government schemes that were aimed at protecting the rights of children.
Senior Civil Judge P.R. Rajeev said when all other doors are shut, people could approach the Legal Services Authority for help.
