PANJIM: Seven cases of crimes against minor children in Goa within 21 days have raised serious concerns regarding the safety and security of children in Goa. Crimes ranging from kidnapping, abduction, rape, molestation, assault and grievous injuries inflicted on a child as young as two months have been reported in Goa.
In the last 21 days Goa police have registered four kidnapping cases, two assault and one sexual assault cases inflicted on minors by various accused persons. The alarming rise in cases of violations against minors has posed a big question on the vulnerability of children in Goa towards heinous crimes.
February began with a case of a Khorlim-Mapusa four-year-old girl being kidnapped and later sexually abused and assaulted by the accused. Three children from Cuncolim were reportedly kidnapped by an accused person from lawful guardianship on February 11. In Porvorim, a minor boy was assaulted over a pending money dispute.
Then in another case, a boy suffered injuries when a dog was unleashed after property dispute issues.
In Pernem, a minor girl was kidnapped and molested. The incident came to light after the headmistress of the school got to know. The accused also sent obscene messages to the minor girl.
On February 19, a Russian who had organized a night camp at Arambol, sexually abused a minor girl aged 6 years.
The most recent case is of a two-month-old child who was kidnapped from her mother's lawful custody.
Chairperson of Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR), Peter Borges said, “The increase in crimes against children in Goa can be directly attributed to the systemic failure to adequately address their vulnerabilities over the past decade. Unfortunately, children have been given minimal priority, with insufficient investments made in their overall welfare and protection,” he said.
“While the rise in POCSO cases may be credited to increased awareness, other offences against children stem from their circumstances, where the establishment of a robust safety framework has been sorely neglected. These vulnerabilities leave them susceptible to a range of atrocities, including abuse, exploitation, violence, and neglect,” he said.
Bailancho Ekvott Convenor, Auda Viegas said, “Sensitisation of the children is not happening. Parental responsibility to guide and advise their children is also one of the drawbacks. The recent case of the child being picked from the custody of her mother is a case that should serve as an eye-opener for the State.”