THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Children are most vulnerable group in the society. They are ones who are most susceptible to abuse. These assaults which can be both of physical and sexual in nature tend to go unreported and unnoticed many a times.
Kerala too not far behind in such crimes as pointed out by the statistics with the Child Rights Commission.
The state capital, however, has something to rejoice as the number of sexual offence against children has come down. However, the change is not a big one as it has only come down from being first to second in the state, points out the statistics of Child Rights Commission. Kollam, now, has gained the dubious distinction of being the first in the state for child abuse.
The number of cases were 169 in 2013(48 cases in the city and 121 cases in rural) and it has come down to 135 in 2014. “57 cases in the city and 78 cases in rural,” said Susheela Mathew, senior consultant, POCSO, Child Rights Commission.
“The primary reason for the fall in the crime against children is that Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012 has been implemented in the state. The commission is its monitoring agency. The commission directly approaches departments such as police and educational institutions to create awareness about the problem,” she said. Susheela also says that the number may seem high because such sexual offences are being promptly reported in the state. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012 was formulated in order to effectively address sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children.
If somebody who knows that a sexual offence is being committed and if he/she does not report the crime, that itself is becomes an offence and they too can be penalised. This is the strength and importance that the POCSO Act has, she pointed out.
“People should also be made aware about the existence of such problem in the society so that they can help a child in protecting itself,” she explained.
“Most of the children now stay away from their parents. When the parental control is not that high they become more vulnerable,” Susheela said.
The Child Rights Commission will soon start a sensitising programme along with the departments such as Police, Health and Education to help create awareness among the people. They have also prepared hand books exclusively for Police department and the students. “The hand book clearly defines their role with regard to such crimes,” she said.
