Abuse of minors doubles
Cases being reported almost daily; most offenders known to victims.
Hyderabad: The recent Nalgonda incident, where 11 minor girls residing in a hostel were allegedly sexually abused by their tutor is an obvious sign of the helplessness of girl children in Andhra Pradesh.
Apart from stressing on the need for more measures to be put in place for their protection, there is also a strong need to implement the existing laws.
In the last couple of months, as many as 27 rapes against minors were reported; whereas, a total of 516 cases of minors being sexually abused were reported across the state in 2013, of which 126 were from Hyderabad, the Children Welfare Committee (CWC) has reported.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau 2012, a total of 248 rapes were reported against girl children in the age group of 0-14, which unfortunately doubled to 516 in 2013.
“There has been a steep increase in the number of abuse cases against children.
We are getting at least one such complaint every day. Most of the offenders are either distant family members or known relatives. Just a day ago, I received a complaint from a couple in Miyapur who alleged that their 8-year-old daughter was raped by her maternal uncle,” said V. Padmavati, chairperson of CWC.
National Girl Day, celebrated on January 24 since 2008, is aimed at increasing awareness about issues faced by a girl child, right from inequality to education, legal rights, medical care, child marriage, etc.
“This increase in number of cases of child abuse is an important concern. There is no speedy disposal of these cases. The Child Rights Commission is still nowhere to be seen,” said Anuradha of AP Balala Hakkula Sangham.
The Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, still needs to find ground. The trials under the POCSO Act-2012 are dealt in special courts within a stipulated time of one year and punishment depends on degree of the offence.
“The POCSO Act has to be implemented effectively. And apart from this, we will be setting up the Child Rights Commission soon along with a helpline for dealing with cases against children,” informed Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, minister for the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh.