The Madras High Court
has stressed the need to establish a confidential and independent
monitoring system in government and private schools to prevent sexual
abuse and harassment of girls.
Dismissing a bail application filed by a schoolteacher accused of
sexually harassing a 13-year-old girl, Justice K.N. Basha said: “This
court has no hesitation to state that the commission of sexual assault
by the teachers on vulnerable students of tender age must be viewed
with all seriousness and dealt with an iron hand by the authorities
concerned.”
He pointed out that a National Crime Records Bureau report reflected
the frequent sexual abuse of children, and most of the incidents went
unreported. Human rights activists, too, were aggrieved at the
increasing sexual abuse at school. Yet another worrying factor was that
many such children resorted to suicide.
“Teachers are the guiding stars, custodian and guardian of students on
the school premises. The view among the public is that children are
safer at school. But unfortunately the recent reports of frequent
incidents of sexual abuse of children at schools cause a very serious
concern, threatening to shatter the picture of a happy Indian family,”
the judge said.
Recalling that shocking incidents of sexual abuse and molestation by
teachers came to light at the one-day hearing of the National
Commission for Protection of Child Rights in Chennai in January, the
judge said: “Teachers are always respected as Gurus…But only a very few
teachers are committing the offence of sexual abuse, tarnishing the
image of the noble profession.”
Pat for State
Mr. Justice Basha commended the State Government for abolishing
corporal punishment in schools in 2007 to prevent the abuse of children
in various kinds. He also appreciated the School Education Department
for constituting a complaint cell to provide assistance to students who
face abuse. The cell had received 255 complaints till December 2006,
and 427 complaints between January 2007 and March 2008.
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