Madras high court directed all schools to introduce topic in curriculum
Picture for representational purpose
Chennai: A plea was made in the Madras high court on Friday, seeking a direction to the education department to issue instructions to all schools in the state to take measures to protect children from sexual harassment through awareness programmes and introduce the topic in the curriculum. Disposing of a petition filed by advocate D. Chithra Devi of Choolai, a division bench comprising justices M. Sathyanarayanan and R. Mahadevan, directed the authorities to consider the representation and pass orders in eight weeks.
Chithra Devi, in her writ petition, submitted that it was depressing to note the sexual abuse committed against children. A national study conducted in 2007 revealed that over 53 per cent of children were victimised in schools. She said, according to experts, child protection measures must be taken to save them from sexual torture and harassment.
The programmes should be aimed at explaining the suspicious behaviour of predators through cartoons and other novel ways. Awareness programmes should also involve teachers, parents, children and other stakeholders.
Highlighting this, she sent a representation to the secretary, department of education, on October 1, 2013. As there was no response, she filed the present petition, requesting a direction to the authorities to advise primary school teachers to teach children about the evils of child abuse. The World Day of Prevention of Sexual Abuse was observed on November 19.
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