Increase in cases of minor rape, but many remain dark

Recently, police in Neredmet arrested 10 people for allegedly raping a minor girl after offering her a drugged drink. The rape left her pregnant. In another case, a 10-year-old girl was abducted by two men who befriended her in Kacheguda and raped her.

In another case, a ride-sharing app driver was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in Secunderabad. In another case, a minor girl was raped by five minors and an 18-year-old in Hyderabad in May.

Not only does a rape victim face social stigma, their fight for justice is never over and the system often finds the blame on them, said senior advocate Abdul Samad. “In our society, it is still a taboo and it goes unreported. We need to create a safe and supportive environment for children to speak out and report such crimes,” said Samad.

Victims face hostile conditions at police stations and pressure to withdraw their complaints. If a case goes to court, it can take decades to resolve.

In the meantime, the victim and his family have to go through hell. Since the process is lengthy, victims often give in to pressure from their families or the perpetrators.

“Sexual abuse leaves deep scars on victims and their families. But it is our responsibility to change this narrative. We must create a society where our children feel safe and supported, where they can speak out without fear of judgement or reprisal,” said V. Sandhya Rani, national director of the Progressive Organisation for Women.

“As a social worker, I have seen the devastating impact of sexual abuse on victims and their families. It also takes strength, resilience and courage to speak out against abuse,” she said.

Parents often leave their children in the care of neighbors, which can lead to situations where children can be lured and raped by sex offenders.

It is important to train parents and caregivers to recognize the signs of child sexual abuse and to report any suspicious behavior, said psychologist Bharath. A culture of reporting sexual abuse without hesitation is key to strengthening vigilance.

“We should teach young children about appropriate boundaries, healthy relationships, good and bad touch, and consent. We need to teach them that it’s OK to say no and that they have the right to control their own bodies,” Bharath explained.

Dr Shravan Kumar Gandhi, senior consultant, said, “As a society, we have a responsibility to protect our children from sexual abuse. We need to support children who are victims of sexual abuse. We need to make it clear to them that we believe them, support them and help them heal. And we need to ensure that they receive the counselling, therapy and care they need to recover from their trauma.”

Educational institutions should conduct special lectures and create awareness about underage rape to prevent girls from becoming vulnerable to these cases. The education system brings light into many lives and shows the importance of mental resilience. By preparing students mentally, we can empower them to protect themselves, added Dr Gandhi.

Drugs and alcohol play a crucial role in increasing vulnerability to rape cases. “Whether minors or adults, under the influence of drugs, victims often do not understand the complexity of the crime and act according to their own desires. It is important for parents to keep a close eye on their children’s behavior,” said an official from the police’s Women’s Safety Department.