Sexual crimes against minor girls on the rise

Hyderabad: Sexual abuse of minor girls are on the rise in Hyderabad and surrounding districts despite the government making laws to punish the offenders. The number of case of sexual assaults on minors have doubled.

According to sources, there are hiccups in the implementation of laws intended to punish the offenders. The problems arise because the investigators have lacked knowledge of the various laws that deal with the sexual abuse of minors. The result is that the victims are not getting justice.

Achyuta Rao, honorary president of Balala Hakkula Sangham said, “Even the victim is not getting the financial support from the District Collectors, though it is mandatory as per Act. The non-payment of compensation is because of lack of knowledge on the part of the investigating officers and coordination between the Revenue and the police.

Elaborating on the issue, Jyothirmayi, Consultant Psychiatrist, Continental Hospital said, “Due to perversions or Paraphilias, adults have attractions and sexual urges towards prepubescent children. This can occur with other co-morbid conditions like anxiety, depression and other personality disorders." There was no cure for Paraphilias but through therapies they could be motivated to control their urges if they accepted their problem, she said.

Further she suggested that the parents openly talk about good touch and bad touch to the children from the beginning. There should be open communication regarding sexual education and children should be taught to say no to certain adult requests involving physical closeness, she advised.

Replying a question why the convictions were very low, Additional Commissioner of Police Swati Lakra, while talking to The Hans India, blamed it on victims generally turning hostile. “In view of this, at the ‘Bharosa’ centres we were providing legal support,” she said.

Reacting on implementation of Act, Devi, Cultural Activist said, “Child welfare committees are functioning property in some district only. She recommended that government should establish the separate courts to try the child abuse cases.