Govt outline measures to tackle sexual abuse in orphanages

Following allegations of sexual abuse and harassment of children at a child care center in the capital, the Government has taken several measures to check sexual abuse in orphanages across the country.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Mullappally Ramchandran, the Minister of State of Home Affairs said efforts are being made to ensure that all child care institutions are brought within the ambit of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000.

In addition to that, regular inspections are being carried out and CCTV Cameras have been installed in most of the government-run Homes.

Directions have also been issued to orphanages for girls to ensure that only female staff is employed, he said.

In February this year an inquiry was ordered into the alleged sexual abuse of children at a privately-run orphanage in Central Delhi.

A report by NGO Haq: Centre for Child Rights has stated that children in the orphanage Arya Anathalay were paraded before outsiders and that the "older boys" as well the warden of the orphanage had been sodomising the younger boys.

Haq Foundation was asked to assist Delhi Police in investigating the death of an 11-year-old girl who lived in the orphanage. She was allegedly sexually and physically assaulted over six months and subsequently died of external injuries on December 24 last year.

"Song, dance and drawing sessions and interactions held with children in groups brought to light tales of abuse, the fact that children were scared of the staff in the institution, that they wouldn't even go anywhere near their warden's bed. The children shared heart rending stories of physical abuse, mental cruelty and sexual abuse ranging from eve-teasing and molestation to rape and sodomy," Haq stated in a report on Feb. 16.

"What is more, the staff is completely untrained. The in-charge of the dispensary is not trained even to provide first aid. None of them are social workers. Many are women who have lived in the orphanage themselves and have been accommodated as staff after growing up. Some are widows or victims of a bad marriage. Most seem to have been subjected to some or the other form of abuse and exploitation in their life and they do not know better ways of dealing with children," the report said.

Three officials of Arya orphanage, including the warden have been arrested by the police. An administrator meanwhile has been appointed to oversee the functioning and management of the institution.

As a follow-up to the case, the Women and Child Development ministry has circulated a draft on proposed changes in the Juvenile Justice Act, suggesting tough action against orphanages and child-care homes which fail to provide safe and cordial living space to children below the age of 18.

Also, orphanages and child-care centres will come under direct supervision of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to be constituted in each district of the country. According to reports, the government in several districts has already nominated representatives of NGOs as members of CWC.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit earlier said her government would look at the deeper issues and come out with measures to ensure that children living at orphanages do not face any abuses.