In light of the recent cases of minor rapes and child abuse, Indian parents are struggling to understand if there are any safe places for their kids?
Sadly even Schools, once considered as a safe place, are now turning into a major hub of child abuse.
And, one such recent incident, which not only shocked but also disgusted us, happened with 3 young girl students in a school in Bhavnagar in Gujarat.
As per ToI, a 39-year-old primary school teacher was arrested for allegedly showing obscene porn video clips and pictures to three Class-5th girls of a school in Bhavnagar in Gujarat.
And, what is shocking is the fact that the teacher, Jishant Makwana, was working at the school for the last 12 years.
So What Happened During The Horrific Incident?
According to TOI, the incident came to light when the father of one of the girls lodged the complaint.
As per the complaint, the incident happened during the lunch break on Monday when the three girls aged 11-12 years were sitting in the classroom.
During that time, Makwana came inside the room and closed the door. He then allegedly forced the girls to see porn video clips and pictures on his mobile phone.
When two of the girls opposed, he threatened to fail them in the exam.Â
When the girls reached home they told their parents what had happened.
Shocked at the incident and terrified by the nightmare lived by young girls, several parents thronged the school and ransacked the building. The parents also roughed up Makhana, before the principal intervened and called the police.
Some parents complaint that Makwana used to punish the children by forcing them to slap each other in front of the class. One of the students also revealed that at times, the accused used to make them press his feet in the classroom.
Kids’ Safety The Top Most Concern Of Indian Parents
Though Makwana has been booked under various sections of POCSO Act, the troubling question that every parent is asking themselves is how to protect the innocence of their kids and their childhood, when even the teachers who were supposed to protect them are turning into their abusers.Â
Doesn’t matter if you have a son or a daughter, you always feel threatened about the safety of your kid – you always feel scared that there is a predator waiting to take away the innocence of your kid.
Sadly, the fear of parents is actually supported by U.S. News and World Report’s global perception-based survey on the best countries to raise children in. And, India ranks at 65 out of 80 countries, which makes us realize that our fears are not unfounded.
Wish our leaders would invest a little bit of their time and energy to stop this epidemic before it swallows up our kids’ innocence and childhood.
A Humble Request To Each & Every Parent
Please stay in touch with your kids and, talk to them about child abuse and what they need to do if they face such a situation.
It is very important for us to prepare them better so that they can fight back the abusers in the most appropriate way possible.
Because if we don’t then who? If not now, then when?
In alignment with the POCSO Act, I For Her cannot reveal the names of the school or the victims.