238 children sexually assaulted in January in Kerala

ALAPPUZHA: The children in the state continue to be victims of sexual exploitation  comparable to the situation prevailing in the bigger states in the country. At  least 238 children were sexually assaulted in the state in January  this year, as per  the  State Crime Records Bureau data.    The number  of such crimes in various states as per the  National Crime Records Bureau data for  2016 is as follows:    Madhya Pradesh- 2,467, Maharashtra-2,292, Kerala- 2,122, Uttar Pradesh-2,115, Odisha-1,258 and Tamil Nadu-1,169.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of cases  in schools, Mr K.V. Mohankumar, director of public instruction,   recently sent a circular to  the headmasters, headmistresses and teachers asking  them to keep track of the cases.  The deputy director of education  and education officers were directed to conduct awareness campaigns in  schools from the  next academic year. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) had asked the DPI in November last year to take up the matter with the schools.

The DPI had issued a similar circular to all schools  on July 29, 2016 citing the provisions of the  Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (PoCSO) Act 2015 to prevent sexual, mental and physical exploitation of children.  The KeSCPCR has found that the torture  of children by teachers continues.  In  December last,  it had stressed the need to  strengthen  child welfare committees and other legal bodies under the JJ Act for speedy disposal of the pending PoCSO cases.

According to available data, at least 5,600 PoCSO cases are still pending trial in the state.  The Supreme Court on  Monday  directed the registrar-generals of  High Courts  to collect  data regarding the pendency of cases of sexual offences against children registered  under the  Act. According to the PoCSO Act, anyone subjecting children to corporal punishment is liable to be imprisoned or fined according to the severity of the case.