Parents protest against child sexual abuse in Bengaluru preschools

 

On February 26, the East Bengaluru residents held a protest and demanded strict action against the preschool authorities where a minimum of eight cases of sexual assault of kids have been reported. The parents can out to show their solidarity with the parents of such children who were reportedly abused and demanded faster probe and speedy trial. 

 

The peaceful protesters dressed in black and they staged a demonstration near HAL police station. The protesters hold placards showing their anger and surprisingly, some police personnel also joined them as a mark of solidarity.  

 

The demonstration was organised in the wake of the alleged sexual assault of a three-year-old girl by a non-teaching staff member of a preschool here on February 17.

 

One of the protesting parents was quoted by PTI as saying, "We wanted to make our voice be heard, that's the reason we are demonstrating. Authorities have said they are with us. We hope that some action is taken soon." 

 

At present, the HAL police have registered eight FIRs on the basis of complaints by the parents. The protesting parents demanded that the investigation and the filing of charge sheet should be done within 30 days. The parents also demanded that the police report victim’s statement within four days of the incident in front of a magistrate in order to avoid the further trauma of the child. 

 

The protesting parents also signed a memorandum and handed it to the HAL police officers demanding that management of such schools must be charged under Section 16 of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

 

Additional Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru East, Hemant Nimbalkar said police joined hands for the cause of the child safety along with the parents and civil society.

 

"Assured strict action against accused," he tweeted

 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a series of tweets said the guilty will not be spared.

 

Have asked Police Commissioner to diligently investigate the play school child abuse cases. The guilty will not be spared.@CPBlr

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) February 25, 2017

 

 

Education & Women & Child Dev Depts must ensure strict implementation of Child Protection Policy in schools. Time for a public info campaign

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) February 25, 2017

 

Earlier, parents had also met city Police Chief Praveen Sood and requested for speedy investigation and stringent punishment for the accused.