Childline Kozhikode is planning to launch a new project titled ‘Safe neighbourhood for every child’ in the district soon, in view of the increasing physical and sexual offences on children in the district. The project will be implemented with the help of various agencies including residents associations and Kudumbashree.
A recent data released by Childline shows that close relatives and neighbours are the key offenders in most of the sexual and physical abuse cases in which children are victims. Members of the family are behind at least one-third of the total abuse cases.
“This is an alarming recent trend and we are not sure if this is a Statewide trend,” said Childline District Coordinator Mohammed Afsal.
Of the 130 physical abuse and corporal punishment cases reported in the city in 2017-18, family members were the accused in 43 cases. While uncles, cousins and grandparents coming into the picture occasionally, in a large number of cases it is either of the parents who abuse the child. While the father was the abuser in 15 cases, the mother was in 14 cases. Of the 120 sexual abuse cases reported, the abuser is a relative in 28 cases while it is a neighbour in 43 cases. It is alarming that parents and step-parents too have been found guilty in 7 cases. The abuse happened inside the victim’s house in 30 cases while in 27 cases, it happened in a neighbouring home.
A comforting feature is that parents/guardians of abused children have become increasingly willing to file complaints and move legally. In the 120 sexual offence cases, the guardians filed a complaint willingly in 90 cases.
“It has been noted that parental conflicts often leads to abuse of the children caught in between in many houses,” Mr. Afsal said.
While boys in the 11-15 age group are most prone to physical abuses of different nature, girls of the age group 6 to 16 are most prone to sexual abuse. The number of serious sexual abuse is much higher as against sexual harassment cases. As many as 31 cases of sexual assault, 24 of aggravated sexual assault and 36 of aggravated penetrative sexual assault were reported during the year. On the other hand, not even one digital abuse has been registered during the year. “It is quite surprising at this age. It may be just that such cases are directly taken to the police,” Mr. Afsal added.