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.
