'Kids vulnerable citizens of society, most assaulters are from family'

New Delhi: Children are the most vulnerable citizens in society and can be victims of various forms of abuse and violence. In nearly three years, more than 300 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were handled by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). The child rights body said in most of the cases sexual predators were known to the victims.

According to the commission, they recently conducted a study on the 79 POCSO cases reported from April to December 12, 2019, it was found that the kids were sexually assaulted, harassed by family members or school employee. From April 1, 2017, to March,31,2018, as many as 126 cases were handled by the child rights body in which 131 cases were disposed of. "Cases were either reported to us or we took cognizance on media reports," said DCPCR official. Similarly, from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, DCPCR handled 116 cases and disposed of 100 cases.

Jyoti Duhan Rathee, from DCPCR, said, in POCSO cases most of the accused are known persons to victims. "They easily lure minor child on some pretext and then commit the crime. There is a responsibility of stakeholders including parents, teachers to regularly interact with kids." She further said that during awareness programmes in schools, boys are taught to respect every women and girl.

According to child rights body, this year from April to December 12, as many as 79 cases were handled by them. In 11 cases DCPCR found that the accused were the family members whereas school employees were involved in 16 cases. In eight cases neighbours were involved, in two cases the child was kidnapped and assaulted. In two cases minors were gang-raped. In 18 cases known people were the culprits whereas in 22 cases the accused were other people like unknown persons, tea vendor, electrician, worker.

Earlier this year, another report was released by the commission which revealed that rape was the key reason emerging for school dropouts. The study was conducted on 100 child rape victims. The Delhi Police data shows that till October 2019 as many as 162 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from

Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Of these, 137 cases were solved in which 140 people were arrested.