Wolves preying on kids
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 24, 2009 -

The rape and murder of a 5 year old girl at Delhi a few days back is once a chilling reminder of how unsafe and vulnerable children, especially the girl child have become.

It is a tragedy that parents have to tutor children as young as 3 to be wary of strangers and even family members, lest they are sexually molested. Sexual molestations may range from the subtle touch to the overt act of penile penetration and the perpetrators could be anyone, especially adults who are known to the child victim.

Reports coming from different parts of the world have also clearly indicated that the children especially the girl child may not be safe from their own parents and the recent cases of incest at Austria, US and even in India underscore this fact. Animals do not rape or commit murder.

It is Man, who believers say was created in the image of the Almighty, who rape and murder and it is a frightening thought that children face the grim prospect of being raped, sexually molested and murdered by some perverts who roam around as human beings.

Does this mean that parents can no longer afford to let their children out of their sight for even a few moments ?

It is a frightening thought indeed and it would amount to not understanding the gravity of the situation if one dismisses the recent rape of the 5 year old girl as an aberration.

A look at any of the newspapers will leave no one in doubt that children continue to be exploited by adults. Perverts will always be there and to check their devilish agenda, the first step would be to acknowledge that children today are no longer safe in this modern world.

The Nithari killings, the stories of daughters being sexually molested and raped even by their own fathers all point to the fact that this evil is very much prevalent in all human society.

Laws are there to protect children, but the question is how effectively are the laws implemented to ensure the safety of children, the girl child in particular. It is not only the sexual acts that children are exposed to, but other forms of exploitation as well.

The story of Ameena which occurred many years back is a telling example of how young girls are sold off to some old, fat and loaded Arab Sheikhs as brides.

Just recently the story of how the father of the girl child who acted in the multi-Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, was trying to sell off his daughter for a huge sum is again a telling testimony.

Young girls and boys continue to be sent away from home to work as domestic helps and this suits the employer very well as children can be paid a pittance for their labour.

Young children employed in the Bidi factories, cracker units etc are all telling examples of how children continue to be exploited by some section of the people.

As a Nation which prides itself as having a young and productive work force, India cannot afford to let her children be exploited continuously. Our suggestion is set examples.

Pull and penalise all those who exploit children and sexually molest them.

For starters arrest the culprit/s responsible for the dastardly rape and murder of the 5 year old girl child at Delhi.

May her soul rest in peace.
Amen.