Child abuse on the rise in schools

More and more children are being abused and harassed in schools across the country. According to the Centre, the number of such cases has tripled in 3 years.

“A total of 95 such cases were registered last year,” women and child development minister Krishna Tirath said.

“The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights said there has been an increase in the number of reports of excesses on children in schools. These complaints have been referred to the  state governments and union territory administrations concerned for appropriate action.”

The complaints included sexual abuse, harassment, humiliation, murder, corporal punishment and wrongful confinement.
“From 34 complaints in 2007-2008 and 68 in 2008-2009, the figure went up to 95 last year,” Tirath said.

Child rights activists feel this may not reflect the true picture as many cases go unreported. They, however, were satisfied that more children and their families are coming forward to report abuse.

Uttar Pradesh reported the most cases this year. Of the 27 cases in the state, 20  were of corporal punishment and one of murder. Tamil Nadu reported 12 cases, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa nine each and Andhra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab four each.