Two horrific cases have emerged of sexual offences committed by teachers, who ought to embody the very standard of trust and integrity. Recently, a 33-year-old teacher in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district had reportedly raped a standard tenth student under the pretext of a birthday celebration.
Now, a self-defence coach, tasked with teaching martial arts, has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl he had been training.
Reports claim that Sanjay Vaghela (25) was a part-time teacher of martial arts at a school in Gandhinagar. Earlier, he was employed in Ahmedabad where he taught karate to the victim. He reportedly lured the minor into a relationship and sexually abused her.
Over time, the family observed notable physical changes in their daughter. Upon examination, it was revealed that she was eight months pregnant. The young woman subsequently disclosed her experiences, prompting her parents to file a formal complaint with the Pethapur police.
The Pethapur police registered a case for rape under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act against him.
The investigation revealed that the accused kept close contact with the girl by assuring that he would help her prepare for school tournaments. He took advantage of her trust, a police officer said.
According to data, while the nature of juvenile sexual offences has decreased over the past decade, the nature of these crimes has become increasingly alarming. Cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act involving juveniles decreased from 1,815 in 2013 to 1,020 in 2022, a drop of around 44 per cent. However, the percentage of sexual offenses among all juvenile crimes has stayed largely constant, notwithstanding the decline in the actual numbers.
These reports pertinently mention that statistics belie the magnitude of the issue. Many sexual offences go unreported owing to fear of societal stigma.
In 1992, India committed to safeguarding its children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Clearly, it’s nothing more than only a pledge on paper.
The fact that such crimes continue to surface underscores the need for not only stricter laws and enforcement but also a deeper cultural shift that holds perpetrators accountable and prioritises the protection of vulnerable children. The continued violation of children’s rights shows that mere legal commitments, like India’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, are insufficient if not backed by meaningful action.
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