In 2 months, Hyderabad reports 34 cases of child abuse
Aditi Mallick | TNN | Mar 11, 2019, 11:24 IST
Picture used for representational purpose onlyHYDERABAD: In the first two months of the year itself, already 34 cases of child abuse have been recorded in the city.
"Of the 34 cases registered already this year, one victim has been identified as a boy. Out of the victims, only 16 have received compensation so far," said a source from the state women and child welfare department.
Experts, however, point out that most of the cases still go unreported as the child is afraid to talk about the crime or is unaware of it.
A city-based psychiatrist spoke to TOI about a case where a 16-year-old girl was assaulted repeatedly by hospital staffers she was six years old. "The case came to light after 10 years, when the parents approached doctors, saying the girl had an emotional breakdown and developed a tendency to self-harm. After a series of counselling sessions, she revealed the incident," said Dr Radhika Acharya. "There are severe impacts of such traumatic incidents. In some cases, women face problems even in their married life due to a history of child abuse," added the psychiatrist.
In one such case, a woman who was opting for divorce approached the psychiatrist. The woman said that she did not want to get married again. During the session, it was found that she was sexually assaulted in her childhood and her parents, allegedly aware of the incident, took it lightly. "The victim can't look at her husband or have any sexual relationship with him as it remainds her of the past," added Dr Radhika.
"Every week there are reports of child abuses in the city. Parents need to be more careful about their kids. Predators are usually known people, so it is the responsibility of the family to keep an eye on their children's behavioural changes. They need to give their child a safe space to speak up," said Achyuta Rao, a city-based child rights activist.
"Of the 34 cases registered already this year, one victim has been identified as a boy. Out of the victims, only 16 have received compensation so far," said a source from the state women and child welfare department.
Experts, however, point out that most of the cases still go unreported as the child is afraid to talk about the crime or is unaware of it.
A city-based psychiatrist spoke to TOI about a case where a 16-year-old girl was assaulted repeatedly by hospital staffers she was six years old. "The case came to light after 10 years, when the parents approached doctors, saying the girl had an emotional breakdown and developed a tendency to self-harm. After a series of counselling sessions, she revealed the incident," said Dr Radhika Acharya. "There are severe impacts of such traumatic incidents. In some cases, women face problems even in their married life due to a history of child abuse," added the psychiatrist.
In one such case, a woman who was opting for divorce approached the psychiatrist. The woman said that she did not want to get married again. During the session, it was found that she was sexually assaulted in her childhood and her parents, allegedly aware of the incident, took it lightly. "The victim can't look at her husband or have any sexual relationship with him as it remainds her of the past," added Dr Radhika.
"Every week there are reports of child abuses in the city. Parents need to be more careful about their kids. Predators are usually known people, so it is the responsibility of the family to keep an eye on their children's behavioural changes. They need to give their child a safe space to speak up," said Achyuta Rao, a city-based child rights activist.
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