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. While we, parents, work really hard to make sure we get our kids admitted to the best schools, hardly we know these schools can turn into abusive grounds for our kids.
One such heartbreaking incident happened in a private school for children with learning disabilities in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. A 9-year-old girl with learning difficulties was allegedly molested by a school van driver along with his 2 friends.
As per the sources, the police came into action when a video of a schoolgirl being molested by the driver and his accomplices in a school van went viral. As per the police inspector Vitthal Pote,
“One of the suspects made the video, which went viral and reached us.”
Without wasting any time, the police identified the girl and summoned the principal, who immediately lodged a complaint. As per the police, the three suspects have been charged under the POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act, Information and Technology Act.
Deputy commissioner of police Rahul Khade shared with TOI:
“We have registered the offence and one of the accused, aged 19, who is the driver of the van, has been arrested. We will be seizing the school van.”,
The video clearly shows the suspects touching the girl inappropriately, one of them pricking her body with his finger while the other slapping her. The trio can also be seen teasing and making fun of the girl, post which the girl starts crying.
The shocking details came to light that reflected how school authorities irresponsible attitude put this young girl at the risk of being molested and abused. The police officer privy to initial investigation shared:
“The drivers accomplices were in the school van for no valid reason and nobody knows since when this has been happening with the kids. We suspect that there was no female attendant in the school van at the time of incident.”
As per the norms, it is mandatory for school management to appoint female attendants in school buses and vans ferrying students. Police suspect that the driver may not be having a valid driving license or badge to drive a school van.
Though the police investigation is still underway, these shocking revelations will leave any parent angry and heartbroken as it shows how school administrations are putting our young kids at risk.
At IFORHER, after hearing multiple stories about child sexual abuse, we believe it is high time that our authorities start holding school administration equally responsible for our kids’ security in case of sexual abuse at schools.
Please share your thoughts if you think in case of sexual abuse at school, the school administration should be held accountable and put behind bars?
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)