Immoral realities

The sexual assault of a four year old girl in Nadapuram by the senior students of the same school is yet another testimony to the terrifying extent to which the state has fallen.

The minor studying in a reputed CBSE school in Nadapuram town was sexually abused by the senior students in the bathroom near the school hostel on October 30. The incident came to light only on November 9 when the girl was hospitalized with uneasiness and pain and the doctor confirming a sexual abuse. The school management had allegedly offered a sum to the victim’s family for keeping mum. Residents and various political organizations gathered around the school to protest and police registered a case for rape taking into custody a few senior students to probe the matter. It would not be wrong to say that the assailants despite being children themselves, are criminal minded and would be ordered a minimum punishment. Therefore the issue still persists with consequences unimaginable.

The state is witnessing an alarming rise in the sexual crimes against women and children including minors with ninety five percent of the abusers being the dear and near ones of the victims. Most of the cases go unreported due to the fear of ruining the reputation and the intense pressure on the victims. The victims undergo mental and physical trauma, fear, stress and inferiority issues. The morality levels of the society is worse than ever with anti-social elements rambling around ready to take their plunge on the new generation. The danger posed by such people is akin to a dagger poised above the heads of innocent children. Compounding the fact is the current social scenario which is gravely polluted and besmirched providing lavish opportunities for the children to change tracks. Not to forget the social activists, feminists and the progressive liberal minded thinkers in the society who believe in tackling the issues through open discussions and public discourses. Wide exposure to the internet and ever advancing technology is nowadays more a blight to the society than a boon.

The existence of stringent laws related to the welfare of children such as landing the parents and teachers in jail for beating, verbally abusing or inflicting any form of corporal punishment, do prove beneficial. But it also curbs a parent’s right to guide their children to the right path through admonishments, to a certain extent. Constant monitoring without overly interference should be the key to maintain a healthy parent-children relationship. Imparting sexual education starting from the early ages, making children aware of the good and bad touch and instilling boldness to protest are a few things parents and teachers could do. But the grim reality is that in 'God's Own Country', women continue to lack a sense of security, at home, in public spaces or in the workplace and unfortunately the people responsible are not able to do much about it.