Research shows that 37% of children who are victims of sexual exploitation in Andhra do not go to school

VIJAYAWADA: A recent survey by the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) in collaboration with HELP, an organisation working to protect women and child rights, found that 37% of children from families affected by commercial sexual exploitation are out of school.

The study, led by Dr Sarawati Raju Iyer, a professor at Acharya Nagarjuna University, focused on the united districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam, highlighting the severe challenges faced by these children, who are often forced into labour due to family and financial constraints.

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, APSCPCR chairman Kesali Appa Rao said, “These children are being denied their fundamental right to education, which is crucial to break the cycle of exploitation. He noted that inter-district migration has contributed significantly to the dropout rate.

To address the issue, plans are afoot to deploy Village and Ward Sachivalayam Mahila Police and Education Welfare Assistants to identify migrant families and ensure their children are enrolled in schools. Further, a similar survey is planned for tribal areas in North Andhra, which will be conducted by students of Andhra University, with recommendations for follow-up.

The study also found that 47% of these children are engaged in employment, with some trying to balance work and education. Despite the difficult circumstances, only 56% of these children benefit from government schemes for social services, such as midday meals and educational materials. On the positive side, 56% participate in skills development workshops, which equip them for a better future.