One in 2 children abused: Nobel laureate
ROHTAK: Noble Laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Saturday said child abuse had become an epidemic due to people’s over reluctance in discussing it openly.
He was addressing the students of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak on the issue of child abuse.
Quoting figures to highlight the gravity of the situation, he said, “According to a 2016-17 UN report, 53% of children have been victims of sexual harassment before the age of 18 years. In schools, adolescents and teenagers are taught every kind of safety, but our parents and teachers are strait-laced in addressing the child’s social safety.”
He said, the saddest part is that almost 70-80% of sexual harassment cases happen within the family. “The victims don’t have courage to report such incidents. Their parents too sometimes discourage them from complaining to protect family’s honour,” Satyarthi added.
He said in the year 2016, 15,000 cases of child abuse were reported out of which only 10% went to the trial stage and 90% are still pending. Satyarthi said there is an ardent need of special judges in courts, especially handling cases related to child abuse wherein speedy trials could be ensured.
AT IIM ROHTAK, SATYARTHI SAID 7080% OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES HAPPENED IN FAMILY