Crimes Against Teenage Girls : Tracing the factors
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 11, 2014 -
‘Murder after Rape’ has become a common occurrence in Manipur nowadays.
Hardly a week after an 8-year old girl was murdered after rape by her neighbor on November 5 last at Tharoijam Maning Leikai in Imphal west district, news of the same nature came on November 9 from Wangbal Heirithong in Thoubal district.
A girl student studying class XII at Chaoyaima Higher Secondary school, Thoubal Wangmataba was murdered after rape by her neighbor cousin brother.
Of late, news of an alleged rape has come from the Blind School at Takyelpat, according to which a 13 year old boy committed the crime on a girl student of the school.
Earlier in August last, a girl student of the same school was reportedly raped by the chowkidar of the school.
Crimes against women, particularly the adolescents, have happened unabated in Manipur.
What are the factors causing rampant crimes against adolescent girls in Manipur society ? How can the society put a check on such crimes ?
These are the urgent issues which the intellectuals, administrators, civil society bodies, mediapersons and right thinking citizens need to find an answer.
There are numerous factors for increased sexual assaults and rapes perpetrated by the menfolk particularly the young men in their sexually active age group.
A thorough debate on the subject in academic perspective is required to be initiated, so as to find out ways for prevention of such indecent crimes.
Besides the inherent patriarchal nature of Manipur society, mindset of today’s males specifically the youths are influenced by the various globalised media inputs.
Drugs of various nature, intoxicants like alcohols, lack of recreation activities etc. have probably made the male folk to indulge in criminal activities against women.
The onslaught of various new media like the smartphones, various satellite channels, internet facilities and social networking networks have also abated the criminality mindset of individuals.
The changing costumes and lifestyles of most women influenced by globalization have also impacted the existing social customs of the society.
Lack of valued and quality education among the youths, as well as losing morals and discipline among them due to the wide generation with their elders have also contributed to the frequent crimes on the girls.
On the other hand, the girls of today are also not equipped themselves with the skills and techniques to protect themselves from any eventuality on them.
Meanwhile, the law enforcing agencies are often lethargic in responding to crimes concerning the women and children.
Here, the judiciary also needs to act swifter in bestowing the culprits with the severest possible exemplary punishments.
Overall, all aspects of the society have a role to play in preventing crimes against the females.
As for the time being, the various media of the state in their own formats either electronic or print should also prioritise the reporting of heinous crimes along with a daily follow up of the activities of law enforcing agencies like police and the judiciary as well until the victim gets justice.
When the state media are actively following the criminal events and their investigations under its principles and ethics, the police and judiciary will also be encouraged to move forward.
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