Kerala is once again pushed into mourning. The attempted sexual assault and brutal murder of a six-year-old boy in Mala, Thrissur, raises questions that go beyond personal grief — they expose the deeper vulnerabilities of our society. If even such a young life is not secure, where is this society heading? The boy was cruelly assaulted by a 20-year-old neighbor who then took his life in an effort to hide the crime. The child’s cries and agony went unheard until it was too late. These tragedies rarely touch our collective conscience — they do not move us to reflect, to feel, or to act.
Cold Statistics, Stark Realities
As per the National Crime Records Bureau, over 15,000 children fall victim to sexual abuse every year in India. Kerala is not exempt. In 2021, there were 560 POCSO cases; 605 in 2022; and 625 in 2023. In 2024, the number has already crossed 1600. When homes and schools — spaces that should be safe — become grounds for violence, we must ask ourselves: is society truly shouldering the responsibility of protecting children?
Drugs and Sexual Abuse: A Twin Threat
There is a disturbing increase in cases where intoxicants are used to abuse children. Cyber grooming and sexting are becoming common tools in this exploitation. Children lured by false affection are later blackmailed and subjected to abuse.
Settlements and Silence: Justice Denied?
Lengthy POCSO trials result in severe emotional distress for child victims. Often, as the child reaches adulthood — entering college or marriage — the cases are quietly dropped. In many instances, community pressure leads to the silencing of the child's voice in the name of “unity” or “family honor.”
Education Must Be the Path
We need to go beyond just “Good Touch, Bad Touch.” Children must be led into a deeper understanding of personal boundaries and sexual awareness. Counselors should be appointed in every school across the state. In tribal and remote areas, special awareness programs must be held. Children must be taught that sexuality is not something to be ashamed of, nor is it a tool for violence. They must be empowered to speak out against abuse.
When Law and Humanity Join Hands
Childline number 1098 allows anyone to file a complaint about a child without disclosing identity. Under POCSO, failure to act can be reported to the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. But legal avenues alone are not enough. Real change can come only from a collective social conscience that chooses to listen to children's voices.
One Clear Call: Let the Children Be
The phrase "Children are our future" is not just a slogan anymore — it is a desperate call to action. Raising children with love and security is not merely the duty of parents, teachers, or neighbors — it is a human responsibility.
Let them be.
Love them.
Protect them.
Or else, the children of today will grow up to hate not just us — but the society that betrayed them.
