Harassment common at children’s home

KOZHIKODE: The male inmates of the government children’s home in Kozhikode have been complaining to the district collector about harassment both by their handlers and also by senior inmates.

“What actually is needed is a complete revamp of the system. However, with the present system of appointments, such largescale reforms may not be possible immediately. So we are trying to make use of voluntary organisations to bring in more attention to these children and to have a scientific approach towards handling them. We have asked for the creation of a counselor's post at children's homes and we are getting it,” district collector, N. Prasanth told DC.

The people appointed at children’s homes are not trained to handle children. Due to the appointment from the general pool of the social welfare department, these officials are not permanent employees at children’s homes and get transferred out to other sections, making it difficult to get them trained in any particular stream.

“We are trying to use the experts from IMHANS and also from voluntary organisations. The complaints that I get from the children are varied. Many of the inmates need psychological counseling. We have also now started opening up their world so that they do not feel that they are imprisoned. We have started English classes, yoga and Kalaripayattu training sessions for them and also we are going to introduce theatre workshops as well,” Mr Prasanth said.

He said the children were shifted out or transferred, based on the orders from the Child Welfare Committee. “We actually do not have any say in this. Such transfers are done based on orders from CWC. I have not yet received any written complaint from any inmate about a specific incident,” the collector added.