Awareness up; more crimes against children reported from villages

KOZHIKODE: Officials who conduct surveys in the interior areas of the district and campaign for child rights and child safety find that the number of crimes recorded is more, when the awareness activities are more.

Childline officials in the district reveal that in the last six months, the maximum number of cases was reported in August, when ‘Balasuraksha Yathra’ campaign was held in six panchayats.

“In August, 30 cases were reported, including 12 physical abuse, six emotional abuse and eight sexual abuse cases against children. Similar status was seen in July also.  Very rarely are people in rural areas encouraged to file complaints in instances of abuse. Instead of doing paperwork during these months, more jagratha samithis and workers functioned in the villages,” said Childline district
coordinator Muhammedali M.P.

The timely intervention of officials and jagratha samithis could stop seven child marriages in the district during April to September. The child marriages were reported from Naduvannur, Thamarassery, Mavoor, Kuttiyadi and Kottoor, all belonging to the interiors of the district. Stop memos were issued to the relatives prior to the weddings and the girls were saved.

However, the officials say that the child marriages were not religion-specific. In the last six months, seven child beggary cases were reported in the district and no child labour cases were reported.