50% of kids in Chandigarh victims of physical abuse

Exposing the ugly side of City Beautiful, an official survey has found that child abuse is rampant in Chandigarh.

The survey conducted by the health department found that over 50% of children in the city have suffered physical abuse. Almost half the children were victims of people known to them or regarded responsible and trustworthy by them.

The survey also found that over 70% of children never reported abuse but endured the trauma silently.

Alarmed, the administration has decided to set up child protection units (CPUs) in government hospitals. The units, to be set up under the national rural health mission, will come up at Government Multi-specialty Hospital, sector 16, and Government Medical College & Hospital, sector 32.

The units will not only look at cases of child abuse but also deal with long- and short-term issues of concern, such as physical, emotional and medical neglect of children whose social circumstances put them at risk of injury or further abuse.

CPUs will operate through a helpline with recording facility.