Anything but home for juveniles

KOZHIKODE: Despite  repeated intervention by the district administration,  the home of the juveniles under the department of social justice on the campus at Vellimadukunnu is yet to ensure good living for the inmates.

Haunted by a series of issues,  including cases of sexual abuse, attempt of suicide by juveniles and alleged physical torture of boys by employees, the sorry state of juvenile home still continues.    P. Seenath of Punarjani, told DC that people expect some sort of correction as well as protection from these centres. 

“But  here juveniles were emotionally suppressed, treated as criminals and perverts and also exposed to sexual abuse by a few  employees,” she added.  

“The guilty  are not only protected but also reappointed and unduly supported,” she pointed out. Ms Seenath was referring to the failure of department  in taking  action against an employee involved in multiple sexual abuse cases in the girls’ home.

However,  collector N. Prasanth has plans to organise a series of programmes for the inmates of juvenile home. Cultural programmes for inmates, music event with young singers, skill development programmes and  counselling by various agencies are planned.

“Though there are many promising ideas, I am sad that nothing commendable has been done so far to improve the life of inmates,” Mr Prasanth said. Sources said that Mr Prasanth has put in place a multi-layer surveillance system to avoid abuse, torture and misuse of inmates.