SHILLONG: Child abuse has turned into a social menace with reports of sexual harassment flashing in the media everyday. Low conviction rate, government apathy to set up fast track courts, non-implementation of the POCSO Act, and most importantly the taboo about sex education are only adding to the woes.
At a time like this, a group of young actors led by Dr Naomi Bhuyan took up the issue to raise some pertinent questions for all stakeholders at an awareness programme and theatre at Don Bosco Youth Centre Hall on Friday.
The programme started with awareness messages from Childline, Shamakami and CSWO. A play staged by young volunteers of Shamakami portrayed how trans-children are sexually and mentally abused by family and society.
Bhuyan’s drama group, Class Act — Theatre with a Purpose, took the message forward with ‘Precious People’, a play on child abuse.
The first act talked about two teenaged sisters who faced the trauma of molestation by their own cousin. Initially, the blame was put on the stepfather.
As the story unfolded, the family and friends of the teenagers came to know about the real culprit. But even before they could report the case to police, the molester cousin, Marco, had already committed suicide.
‘Precious People’ also highlighted the errors of teaching in school. Bhuyan, the director and playwright, said the first part of the play was based on a true incident that happened in a city school.
It also showed how often guardians ignore their wards’ emotions and fail to understand their problems, leading to stress and depression in children.
The second act unveiled the testimony of the criminal who himself was abused as a child. At the end, each character posed a question for every stakeholder — the state, the police, NGOs and also the media. Are we sensitive enough to deal with the subject? Is the state sincere to implement the POCSO Act in letter and spirit? Are police doing their duty? Are NGOs dedicated enough?
The performance of the students of Sankardev College, NEHU, St Mary’s College and Lady Keane College was realistic and they clearly sent the message to the audience, who included school and college students and teachers.
The programme concluded with messages from SPARK Foundation and a councillor from NIMHANS.
“This was perhaps the first time that so many experts and NGO members came together for spreading the awareness message on a an important issue. It is time that we all speak about child abuse and teach our children the difference between good and bad touches. The taboo should end for the society to be healthy and progressive because we are all precious,” said Bhuyan, an associate professor at Sankardev College, at the end of the programme.
