'Sexual abuse in almost all shelter homes in Bihar'

Patna: Sexual abuse, varying in forms and degree of intensity, was prevalent in almost all shelter homes in Bihar, a TISS report made public by the Bihar government has found.

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), which had conducted social audit of short stay homes across Bihar, has found certain institutions "stood out in a manner that was appalling".

The state government had commissioned audit by the TISS in 2017 and the report was submitted to the Social Welfare Department in April this year.

According to the 100-page report, the Muzaffarpur shelter home run by Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in the sex abuse case, had been "running in a highly questionable manner along with grave instances of violence.

Several girls reported about violence and being abused sexually".

The medical reports latter confirmed rape of 34 inmates of the shelter home over a period of time.

At another home in the town, 'Seva-Kutir', run by the Om Sai Foundation,

"disturbing instances and patterns of physical violence and abuse" were reported by the inmates. See P5