Minister assures quick action for victim
Chennai: Responding with shock and dismay to the DC report on abuse victim Mala (name changed), state social welfare minister B Valarmathi said she would initiate quick action to help the distressed woman.
“We will do our best to help this girl handle her grief. We will try getting her a job on compassionate grounds”, the minister told DC.
Mala’s father, an auto-rickshaw driver in his 40s, had repeatedly raped her from her school days and sired three children, the youngest born just last month.
The 24-year-old woman tried to run away after leaving the child at a church but was caught by the police. While the rapist father was arrested, the kindhearted policewomen and the staff of a government hospital near Thanjavur are providing food and shelter for Mala and the baby, but she is unsure of the future.
Mala was present at a public hearing for victims of abuse organised by AIDWA (All-India Democratic Women’s Association) at Thanjavur on Friday, where she poured out her horrid story amid sobs. She told the shocked panel members that she bore all that sexual torture and physical abuse because her father threatened to kill her if she spoke about it to outsiders.
“Mala’s is such a shocking story. Such cruelty must not be inflicted on anyone. Our government is very compassionate. We will help her lead a dignified life, at least from now on,” said minister.
