The mentality of foster boys at a young age

Despite the presence of CCTV cameras, Nirbhaya guidelines and various legal acts, these measures will not be effective if boys are not taught from an early age to respect women and differentiate between right and wrong.

The safety of girls in India remains a major concern despite several legal frameworks and initiatives aimed at their protection. The situation is complex and while there have been improvements in some areas, challenges remain, making safety an urgent issue. Sexual violence against minors, including rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment, remains alarmingly high. Many cases go unreported due to social stigma, fear of retaliation and lack of awareness of legal rights. Recent incidents of child abuse in India, such as the Badlapur case, highlight the ongoing concerns about the safety of minors, especially young girls.

In Badlapur, two preschool girls aged three and four were recently allegedly sexually abused by a male school principal. The incident sparked widespread outrage among parents and the local community, leading to protests including a 10-hour blockade of railway tracks. The accused was arrested and is in police custody. In response, the Maharashtra government has taken several measures including the suspension of school staff and police officers and the formation of a special investigation team to ensure a thorough investigation. The case has also led to calls for stricter safety protocols in schools to protect children from such heinous acts.

Judges of the Bombay High Court stressed that laws alone will not curb sexual crimes without a fundamental change in mindset from an early age. In the light of a recent case involving the sexual assault of two preschool girls in Balapur, the judges pointed out that societal issues such as male chauvinism and dominance are still present in the public consciousness. It is crucial to teach children about equality at home and in school. Despite the presence of CCTV, Nirbhaya guidelines and various legal acts, these measures will not be effective unless boys are taught about respect for women and right from wrong from an early age. Inculcating these values ​​in children should start in preschool.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 provides punishment for sexual offences against children. However, the effectiveness of the Act is often hampered by delays in justice, poor implementation and victim-blaming attitudes. Child girls are particularly vulnerable to trafficking for purposes such as sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers often target girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Although efforts are made to rescue trafficked girls, the rehabilitation process is often inadequate, with many victims struggling to reintegrate into society.

Many underage girls face barriers to accessing education, including societal attitudes that prioritize male education, financial constraints, and safety concerns related to traveling to school. Schools are meant to be safe spaces, but incidents of harassment and abuse within educational institutions have been reported. Underage girls, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, often suffer from malnutrition, which affects their physical and mental development. Malnutrition also makes them more vulnerable to disease and less resilient to physical and psychological stress.

With the increasing use of the internet and smartphones, underage girls are increasingly exposed to risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment and grooming by predators. The lack of digital literacy among children and parents contributes to this vulnerability. There is an urgent need for digital safety education for both underage girls and their guardians, as well as stricter regulation of online content and platforms. India’s patriarchal social structure often limits the freedom and safety of underage girls.

*The writer is a senior journalist based in Delhi. Views expressed are personal. X @narvijayyadav