Violence against kids on the rise

Idukki: The hilly district is witnessing increasing incidents of domestic

violence

against children, the latest being a mother inflicting burns on her nine-year-old boy for stealing Rs 10 from his father’s pocket.

Over the past10 months, more than three major domestic violence incidents were reported in Idukki and a newborn even lost her life.

In August 2016, Naseer and Saleena of Koompanpara near Adimali attacked their 10-year-old boy. The parents’ addiction to ganja was cited to be the reason. They continued the harassment until a neighbour alerted an autorickshaw driver who in turn alerted the police and the media.

The child welfare committee later adopted the child and he is still under its care. In January this year, a woman and her newborn were beaten up by her husband, alleging that the baby was not his. Vimala, the woman, and the newborn were admitted to Kottayam Medical College and Ravi, the husband, was arrested. The newborn succumbed to her injuries and Vimala returned to normal life after a long period of treatment.

In 2013, Shafeeque, a native of Chenkara near Kumily, was physically tortured by his own father Sherif and stepmother Anisha. He recovered after four years of treatment and he restarted his schooling from Thursday onwards.

The latest incident happened at Kumaramangalam near Thodupuzha on Wednesday. Remya inflicted burns on her son for stealing Rs 10 for buying puffs. A neighbour informed an anganwadi worker about it who in turn informed the Childline. Later, the Childline took over the protection of the kid and Thodupuzha police arrested Remya after registering a case against her under the Juvenile Justice Act.

“Increasing domestic violence against children in the district is a reality. The main reason for this is alcoholism and drug abuse. Financial insecurity and bad living condition also increase domestic violence against children,” Idukki district child protection officer V H Shamnad said.

“Any form of physical or verbal punishment does not help character reformation of children. Parents get angry when

kids

fail to reach up to their expectation and in some cases, it can be a psycho-social adversity and its violent expression. When parents punish their kid, it will only harm their mental development and they may even consider their parents as enemies. Any type of punishment will not help the character development of the children,” said psychologist Dr C J John.

“Now, neighbours are mostly coming to the rescue of the harassed kids. Anganvadi teachers and neighbors usually know what is happening in the houses in the area.” added Shamnad.