Hyderabad: The Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) has launched an awareness campaign against ‘child sex abuse’ in the city. Around 300 cops from both Hyderabad and Cyberabad commissionerates will go to about 3,000 schools to create awareness about CSA.
Speaking at the launch of the programme on Friday, CID IGP Ms Charu Sinha said that a survey conducted by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2007 indicated that about 53.22 per cent of the girls and around 49 per cent of the boys were being abused.
She said the CID will be organising a rally against ‘child sex abuse’ on November 19 on the eve of the world day for the prevention of abuse and violence against children at the People’s Plaza on Necklace Road. Around 4,000 children will take part in the event.
A tool kit was also introduced by DGP Anurag Sharma. The kit consists of posters, booklets and other material which will be used for the programme. An eight-minute film was also made by the police and will be shown on November 19.
Officials said every section of society should actively participate in the awareness programme.
Ms Charu Sinha said that officials will go to schools and explain to kids about the difference between a good touch and a bad one. They will approach the teachers and principal and talk about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“We will also request the management to appoint a counsellor and to set up child abuse monitoring committees in schools,” she said. The police requested schools who can’t afford a counsellor to designate a senior teacher as one.
Officials said the techniques followed in other states like child friendly courts, where children will be able to express themselves better are also being considered. Mr Anurag Sharma said that child abuse doesn’t come to light immediately unlike other cases as kids don’t reveal that to parents.
“Kids often can’t differentiate between a good touch and a bad touch,” Mr Sharma said. Officials said that for now the programme is being introduced in city schools including the ones for special kids. Later, it will be taken to all the districts. The publicity material will be translated into Telugu and distributed.
