Two separate incidents in India have sent shockwaves through communities and highlighted the urgent need to address the alarming issue of child sexual abuse within educational institutions. In Mumbai, a 17-year-old girl student bravely disclosed during a counselling session that she was allegedly molested by her former Arabic language teacher a decade ago. The horrifying details of the abuse came to light when the girl, now in Class XII, revealed that the teacher, who used to come to her home for tuition, would touch her inappropriately if she failed to complete her homework. These incidents, she revealed, occurred when she was just 6 to 8 years old.
Following the girl’s disclosure, the school filed a complaint with the Powai police station, leading to the swift arrest of the accused teacher within four hours of the case being registered. The accused has been charged under the Indian Penal Code and the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Meanwhile, in Gujarat, a different case of child sexual abuse sent another wave of fear through the state. A teacher at a residential school in Dahod district was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old tribal student. Identified as Kalpesh Baria, the teacher lured the Class IX student to his quarters on the pretext of cooking for him and made unwanted sexual advances, even grabbing her from behind. The student managed to escape only after calling for her sister, who also attends the school. When other siblings learned of the abuse, they informed their father, who promptly filed a complaint against Baria. The accused was arrested shortly after.
The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the vulnerability of children, especially those in residential settings, to such abuse. Baria has been charged under several sections of the law, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the POCSO Act, and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The ashramshala where the abuse took place is run by the state social welfare department.
These two cases are a stark reminder of the widespread problem of child sexual abuse and the need for comprehensive measures to protect children. Educational institutions, along with parents, teachers, and the community at large, must work together to create a safe and supportive environment for students. This includes implementing robust policies, providing mandatory training for staff on child protection, and creating avenues for children to safely report abuse without fear of reprisal.