Srinagar, Aug 11: A civil society group with child protection members on Sunday expressed deep concern about the rising child abuse cases in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized the need for a holistic approach to ensure the safety of all children.
Addressing a press conference, Shafiq Umar Bhat, the convener of “Dekh-Baal” a child protection rights initiative, said there is an urgent need for parents to reflect on their role.
“In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential for parents to foster open communication at home, to speak with their children daily, and to be vigilant about any signs of distress. If we continue to neglect our children at home, incidents like the recent one where a school boy was sexually assaulted by his classmates will inevitably occur,” Bhat, who was flanked by other members of the “Dekh Baal” initiative said.
Besides “Dekh Baal”, representatives of Child Protection Action Network (CPAN) and South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) were also present in the presser.
While demanding a thorough investigation into the recent incident, where police has already lodged an FIR, he said, “The incident, which has been reported from a school, necessitates a comprehensive investigation. While we have full trust in the ongoing police investigation, which will focus on collecting evidence and witness statements, we, as child protection advocates, emphasize the need for a holistic approach to ensure the safety of all children, both boys and girls, in Jammu & Kashmir.”
Bhat termed the incidents like the recent one as systemic failures. “While there is a rightful outcry against the perpetrators, we strongly believe that the root cause lies in systemic failures—parents, society, and schools must take responsibility for failing to provide a protective environment for our children,” he demanded.
“According to government guidelines, every school must have a child protection policy. The school involved in this incident, and others, must explain whether such a policy exists, why it is not publicly accessible, and why there is no visible information about it on their premises. Have they even conducted an audit to ensure compliance with this policy?” he questioned.
The ‘Dekh Baal’ Convener said the recent incident is a clear message that boys are equally vulnerable to sexual assault and abuse. “I urge all parents to not assume that their sons are immune to such threats. Boys, like girls, can be victims of sexual abuse, and the culture of silence in our society often prevents them from speaking out,” he said.
Demanding for school accountability, Bhat said, “The recent case highlights a broader issue—the failure of schools to provide a safe environment for children. Schools can become breeding grounds for abuse if proper safeguards are not in place. While schools may have committees under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, how many children, staff, or parents are aware of their existence? Simply forming a committee and filing the order is not enough. Schools must actively ensure that children are safe on their premises,” he said.
The ‘Dekh Baal’ convener demanded investigation of the school’s role in the recent incident. “If this abuse has been ongoing for the past three years, there must be a thorough investigation to determine whether the school failed to report it in a timely manner. If necessary, appropriate action should be taken against the school under Section 21(2) of the POCSO Act. The school management must publicly clarify the sequence of events to restore public trust in their handling of the case,” he said.
Bhat said there are unconfirmed reports that the school has issued discharge certificates to the alleged perpetrators of the act. “This must be scrutinized—when was the incident reported, when were the discharge certificates issued, and when was the case reported to the police? The school must explain the basis for these actions and whether they followed the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act,” he demanded.
