Child abuse: 118 cases registered in 15 months

KOCHI: Fifteen months after the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 came into force in the state, the Ernakulam district registered 118 cases under the act. In other words, the district has reported almost eight cases of sexual assault on children every month.
Last week, police registered a case against the father of a five-year-old under POCSO for sexually assaulting the minor in a city mall parking lot.During investigations it was revealed that the accused had abused the minor even at home.
Though there is no official data, police investigators reveal that they have often found children in families where the parents are not in good terms vulnerable and victims of sexual assault, followed by children from socially backward families. In some cases, the accused were found to be alcoholics or drug addicts.
Such incidents usually come to light when victims reveal the same to student counsellors or teachers. "If children are ready to open up, the real number could be much higher as many such cases go unreported. To ensure this, we are now conducting awareness programmes for school girls. We plan to extend the program to boys," said a woman sub-inspector.
"In these cases, prosecution procedures have been completed in a very short period. In order to check sexual assault on children, awareness programmes are being organised in all schools," said city police commissioner K G James. He added that the statements of victims have been taken by following the guidelines stipulated by the act.
Ernakulam rural district police chief said that outright prevention of sexual assault on children was a major challenge. "We try to ensure that maximum punishment is awarded to those who are involved in such cases as it can be a deterrent," he said.
The statement of victims were taken by woman police officers not below the rank of sub-inspectors. They were taken in the presence of parents or guardians. In some cases, police officers were also accompanied by Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members.
Explaining the psychological impact of sexual assault on children, Dr K S David, director, Central Institute of Behavioural Sciences, said, "It indicates sexual weakness of offenders who feel powerful when sexually assaulting minors. Many offenders feel that minors won't reveal such assaults. In most cases, victims are found to be in a depressed state."