Flagging off the ‘Bharat Yatra,’ a march to end sexual abuse and trafficking of children, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi called the increasing instances of violence against children in the country as an ‘epidemic’.
“I look at this Yatra as a war which should be waged against this epidemic which has been increasing alarmingly. The victims, parents and ordinary citizens live in fear and predators and abusers roam because a sense of fearlessness has set in,” he said, speaking to media persons on the sidelines of his campaign activities in the city by the Kailash Sathyarthi Children’s Foundation.
“We need speedy disposal of cases under the POCSO Act. Last year, of the 15,000 odd cases that were registered, only 4% ended in conviction and 6% had acquittals. Nearly 90% is still pending in the courts, which is shocking,” he added.
Mr. Satyarthi addressed the students of the Stella Maris College on Wednesday morning. The students and the faculty members undertook a pledge against violence and to work towards making the country safer for children.
Taking out a march as a part of the ‘Yatra’ from Rajarathinam stadium, he was joined by activists, representatives from various NGOs and social organisations in the city.
Actor Dhanush and directors Aishwarya and Soundarya Rajinikanth were among those who joined him on the march.
