This is regarding the cases of child abuse. Seen not only in the poor class but also in so called high societies. Child abuse ranges from heinous crime of rape and sexual perversion to corporal punishments in school to parental excess of punishments.
The images of schoolchildren lying in a supplicant position with their arms stretched out in front while a man drives a motorbike over their fingers are shocking. That’s what happened exactly at a government elementary school in Tamil Nadu showcasing – of all things – the children’s ‘bravery’. What’s even more staggering is that the event was planned in conjunction with the parent-teacher association, with the consent of the parents of the children involved.
That the parents of these children saw nothing wrong in risking the health of their kids to pull barbaric stunts to impress politicians is disquieting. Even for those inured to corporal punishment being routinely doled out to kids in schools despite laws to the contrary, such abuse of children for mere sport has the power to shock.
Victims of child abuse suffer from long-term consequences that can affect their functioning as adults.
So how are we doctors to help?
Yes, here lies the opportunity. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended that reporting of child abuse should become mandatory. If the NCPCR’s recommendations are implemented, teachers, doctors and other caregivers will be required by law to report child abuse to authorities.
The images of schoolchildren lying in a supplicant position with their arms stretched out in front while a man drives a motorbike over their fingers are shocking. That’s what happened exactly at a government elementary school in Tamil Nadu showcasing – of all things – the children’s ‘bravery’. What’s even more staggering is that the event was planned in conjunction with the parent-teacher association, with the consent of the parents of the children involved.
That the parents of these children saw nothing wrong in risking the health of their kids to pull barbaric stunts to impress politicians is disquieting. Even for those inured to corporal punishment being routinely doled out to kids in schools despite laws to the contrary, such abuse of children for mere sport has the power to shock.
Victims of child abuse suffer from long-term consequences that can affect their functioning as adults.
So how are we doctors to help?
Yes, here lies the opportunity. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended that reporting of child abuse should become mandatory. If the NCPCR’s recommendations are implemented, teachers, doctors and other caregivers will be required by law to report child abuse to authorities.
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