India
ChildLine authorities rescued minor boy, who was sexually abused for days by traffickers in Malappuram, Kerala. Inquiry on similar abuses reported in this region are also in motion.
Malappuram: A 15-year-old boy, who was sexually abused by traffickers, has been rescued by the ChildLine authorities. The boy was allegedly taken to different places and sexually abused by around 14 persons near Kondotty, Malappuram district of Kerala.
The ChildLine department also initiated an investigation with immediate effect on complaints pertaining to similar abuses reported in this region. ChildLine is a toll free number with staff providing service for children in need.
The boy was produced before the Child Welfare Committee in Malappuram and moved to a government shelter home.
Malappuram ChildLine coordinator Anwar Karakkadan said that the volunteers of the organisation received information about ten more sexual abuse survivors in the region, all aged between 13 and 15.
The volunteers also pointed out at the possibility of a racket existing in that region with perpetrators luring minor boys by offering money, ganja and sexually abusing them. Once a boy gets into this racket, he can’t come out easily and later the boys themselves turn into agents for bringing their own friends into this network, they said.
The accused in this case are from Mongam, Ozhukur and Pookottur areas, and a few among them were also associated with sexual abuse of a minor girl reported a few days ago.
New Indian Express in August, reported that 2,692 cases of child sexual abuse were reported to ChildLine from Kerala between March 2017 and March 2018 and 69 cases among these were related to children below the age of five. The report also mentioned that the most vulnerable age group of survivors was between 13 and 15. And another report also stated that Malappuram reported the maximum number of child abuse cases between the months of March and May, with the tally standing at 49 till May 17.
The district administration has now taken these abuses against minors seriously and will take speedy action on the reported cases in the region. ChildLine authorities have already been organising awareness programmes among students and parents regarding the same.
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