SCPCR head suggests sex education in schools, calls for community support
SHILLONG: Fathers, stepfathers and relatives who are meant to be protectors of children often turn into villains and commit crime against minors.
In the last one week, several cases of fathers and stepfathers sexually abusing their children have been reported in the State raising the question about a child’s safety even at home.
The Shillong Times spoke to a cross-section of citizens to solicit their views on the growing trend of rape by relatives.
Meena Kharkongor, Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) stressed on family values, attachment, time and the role of schools in shaping the lives of youngsters.
She said, “The groundwork for laying a good value system depends on families. However, the value system in our society has gone down. Parents don’t have time for their children drowning them in depression and making them feel rejected.”
Highlighting an incident in Garo Hills in which the Nokmas intervened by calling for a compromise even in the case of rape by relatives, she said, “In Garo Hills, we should have an awareness programme for the Nokmas to make them understand better.”
Observing that schools play an important role in shaping the minds of young people and to fill the gaps left by parents, she said, “Schools should not focus on academics only but they should check the emotional well-being of the children. It is high time for schools to impart sex education at secondary level.”
Stating that the law plays a secondary role, Kharkongor bemoaned that families and communities have an influence on youth but the connection between families and societies has been on the wane and “this is a cause for concern”.
Meanwhile, SP (City) Vivek Syiem mooted the idea of setting up more crèches and to raise children in an environment free from vices like gambling and alcoholism, among others.
“Local stakeholders and community members should ensure that the environment they live in is healthy for the upbringing of children. Usually, single mothers and working parents go for work and kids are left alone. Unfortunately, children fall prey to unsuspected family members,” he said.
SP Syiem pointed out that several factors like alcoholism, breakdown of joint families, parental ignorance and negligence, fuel such crimes. “No parents would want their child to get raped. Parents have to be aware and educated. Children should be taught about good and bad touches,” he added.
On the other hand, KSU’s girls’ wing general secretary Albinia Diengdoh said they had approached Roshan Warjri while she was the Home Minister. “We have conducted awareness on the outskirts on this issue and we will collaborate with Dorbar Shnong as well,” she said.