Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 11: A civil society group ‘Dekh-Baal’ today expressed serious concern about the rising child sexual abuse cases in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized the need for a holistic approach to ensure the safety of all children, both boys and girls.
Addressing a press conference here today, Umar Bhat, the convener of ‘Dekh-Baal’ a child protection rights initiative, said there is an urgent need for parents to reflect on their role.
“In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential for parents to foster open communication at home, to speak with their children daily, and to be vigilant about any signs of distress. If we continue to neglect our children at home, incidents like the recent one where a school boy was sexually assaulted by his classmates will inevitably occur,” he said.
Bhat also demanded a thorough investigation into the recent incident, where police has already lodged an FIR, and said, “The incident, which has been reported from a school, necessitates a comprehensive investigation. While we have full trust in the ongoing police investigation, which will focus on collecting evidence and witness statements, we, as child protection advocates, emphasize the need for a holistic approach to ensure the safety of all children, both boys and girls, in Jammu & Kashmir.”
“If this abuse has been ongoing for the past three years, there must be a thorough investigation to determine whether the school failed to report it in a timely manner. If necessary, appropriate action should be taken against the school under Section 21(2) of the POCSO Act. The school management must publicly clarify the sequence of events to restore public trust in their handling of the case,” he said.
“The school must explain the basis for these actions and whether they followed the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act,” he added.
The representatives of Child Protection Action Network (CPAN) and South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) were also present during the conference.
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