Patiala records 37 child sexual abuse cases in 6 months

PATIALA: As many as 37 cases of sexual abuse against minors were reported in the district this year. The cases were registered under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The Patiala police have submitted challans of 15 cases in the court so far, out of 37 cases reported in the district. While 22 cases are still under investigation. In some cases of sexual abuse, accused were known to the minors, said the police.
“We have registered 37 FIRs since January this year under sections of the Pocso Act. Of these total cases reported, we have presented challans in the court after conducting investigation. In most of the cases, the accused were arrested. However, there are 22 cases which are still under investigation,” said, SP (detective) H S Hundal.
Besides, the courts in Patiala had announced judgements in around 24 cases of which punishment was awarded to the accused in 11 cases, while in 13 cases, the accused were acquitted.
Downfall in reporting of cases with DCPO
There has been a downfall in reporting of sexual abuse cases directly with the district child protection office (DCPO) as compared to last year. The officials claimed that in 2018 more than eight cases were directly reported in a period of first six months, whereas, in 2019 only two cases of sexual abuse with minor girls were reported directly with the department.
“We have been continuously making efforts to create awareness among the masses about reporting of cases related to sexual abuse. Now, we have also started a drive against the sexual abuse cases and are conducting raids. The awareness programmes were also conducted in schools where girls were taught about good touch and bad touch. Last year, around eight cases were reported directly with our department whereas this year only 2 cases have been brought to our notice so far. In the cases registered by the police, we used to conduct the counselling of the children who had faced sexual abuse. Most of the cases brought to light are sexual abuse with minor girls whereas some of the cases are related with sexual abuse of minor boys,” said, Harpreet Kaur, DCPO Patiala.