Tuesday, July 8, 2025
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Of sexual abuse

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In the programme Satyamev Jayate Amir Khan had depicted the extent of child sexual abuse that so relentlessly occurs in our society. He has even demonstrated to children which are the sacred places in their bodies that they should not allow anyone to touch or fondle. This is a very important lesson that should be taught to all kids aged five and above. Parents should be able to train their kids to defend themselves and to shout and scream if anyone within the family tries to molest them. Unfortunately the position of child labourers is very vulnerable. Often these are migrant labourers from very poor homes, brought to slog in hostels or homes and completely at the mercy of the employers. While NGOs like Child Line are doing their best to track down child labourers and the Child Welfare Council of the Social Welfare Department are trying to provide temporary shelter homes for such kids, it is also incumbent upon the society to keep its eyes and ears open and to report such abuses. Meghalaya has grass-roots governance institutions which have the reach to keep a check on child labour. Since each locality has a manageable population and everyone within the locality knows everyone else there can be a kind of social reporting on any untoward behaviour by adults towards children labourers.

That the recent case of sexual abuse of children should happen in a Home touted to be a shelter for school and college going students and run on the tenets of Christianity is deeply disturbing. There are other secular hostels that do a better job. However, the state has to keep vigil over these hostels and ensure that students know who to call and inform should there be any attempt at sexual molestation. Molestation is no less criminal than rape. It can traumatise a child for life and be the cause of psychological disorders in adult life. Perpetrators of such crimes deserve the severest condemnation and punishment. However, we live in a society where the law appears to protect the guilty. Prosecution is often so weak and the investigation so shoddy that the criminal often has the last laugh. This is dangerous for society and its children. Often the child molesters and rapists are known to carry their own psychological baggage and need not just condemnation but counselling as well if we are to reduce the number of such societal offenders. Also, the immediate family of the perpetrators are in a state of total denial. They often become collaborators in such crimes. Society must find a way to deal with this scourge.

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