Only in India can a Sunil Rastogi molest 500 minor girls

 

Delhi police recently arrested Sunil Rastogi for raping two minors and molesting another one in New Ashok Nagar, Delhi. Rastogi, later on, confessed to sexually assault hundreds of minors in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand for 13 years. The 38-year-old tailor admitted that he sexually abused 500 girls and attempted assault on 2,500 minors, said police. 

As per reports, he used to target minor girls returning home from their school. He misled them by saying that their father had sent them some clothes or other things. Once he won their confidence, he would take the child to an isolated place and assault them. His victims were usually between the ages of 7 to 10 years old.

India and paedophilia:

 

Child sexual abuse is rampant in India. According to a government-commissioned survey published last year, 53% of kids in the country are victims of child sexual abuse in India. In 85% of the cases, the victim knows the perpetrator. 

 

All of this means that, first, Indian children are most likely to be sexually assaulted. Secondly, the All of this means that perpetrator is usually someone close to the child. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by the government, schools, and civic society alike.

 

Legal provisions: 

 

Apart from provisions in the Indian Penal Code, there is The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act 2012 that such offences come under. However, the problem is that many incidences go unreported due to various reasons. Some of the reasons are: 

 

1. parents fail to educate their child about concepts like 'good touch' and 'bad touch.

 

2. Kids are easily threatened by their abusers into silence.

 

3. Sometimes parents deny acknowledging such incidents due to the involvement of close family members.

 

4. Many times, parents do not report incidents over the fear of a loss of reputation. Also, many parents think that reporting such incidents can impact the child's future. 

 

A preventable crime:

 

Child sexual abuse is a preventable crime, but only if serious actions are initiated. To initiate the necessary actions, the society and the government need to identify child sexual abuse as a serious issue. 

 

Despite statistics, and repeated incidences and arrests of paedophiles, we are yet to consider this as a growing menace. Parents, schools, and society at large do not see this as a threat to civil existence. 

 

What to do:

 

Parents should take the initiative to explain sexual abuse to their kids. They should teach their kids about appropriate and inappropriate touch, private parts and build trust in their child to talk to them. Methods to seek immediate help like screaming etc. should be taught by parents.

 

Recent cases show that schools are no longer safe places for students. The school administration, as well as the parents of the students, should ensure that safety measures are implemented. For any lacuna, strict action should be taken against the schools or officials responsible for it. 

 

The government should conduct workshops and issue guidelines on child sexual abuse to government-affiliated as well as private schools.