MARGAO: Reacting to the incident where a child in Colva was molested, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) raised concerns about how such incidents are taking place in the State and urged authorities to take stringent measures to prevent and monitor such cases.
“The prolonged absence of staff at the District Child Protection Unit and Childline has adversely affected the response system. The Commission urgently calls on the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) to make swift, collective, and concerted efforts to address the plight of these vulnerable children, ensuring their well-being, protection, and a secure future,” said Peter Borges, GSCPCR Chairperson.
He also laid emphasis on why there is a need for a comprehensive and fortified child protection system, including heightened awareness, stringent measures against exploitation, and swift intervention mechanisms.
“The recent incident of sexual abuse involving a child in Colva has sparked significant concerns, shedding light on the vulnerability of children around Goa’s beaches. The troubling trend of children wandering unclothed or minimally dressed is on the rise, accompanied by a surge in cases of children engaging in public begging, exposing them to a heightened risk of exploitation,” Borges added.
“Children in precarious environments like Goa’s beaches face unprecedented challenges, including instances of nudity, exploitation, and homelessness. Adding complexity is the identification of children working in small local eateries and restaurants, making them susceptible to exploitation. Tourists and predators initiate contact with these vulnerable children in various settings, such as streets and beaches, often befriending them through family or intermediaries,” he added further.
