http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article1520594.ece
RAMANATHAPURAM, March 9, 2011
Dalit children cases moving at a slow pace: study
Special Correspondent
Criminal proceedings against perpetuators of offences, particularly
sexual harassment and rape, against Dalit children in Tamil Nadu
progress at a slow pace, according to a study conducted by Evidence, a
Madurai-based non-governmental organisation (NGO).
As per information received based on a Right to Information Act
petition by the NGO, 28 Dalit girls, who were below 18 years of age,
had been sexually harassed or raped in 11 districts, including
Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Theni and Madurai, between September 1,
2008 and October 31, 2010.
Ramanathapuram district topped the list with six offences followed
bySivaganga and Tirunelvveli (four each), and Madurai and Villupuram
(3 each).
It was startling to learn that out of the 28 Dalit girls, 23 were
allegedly raped. While 11 children were aged between 13 and 16, seven
were below 12 years of age. Caste Hindus had been accused in 23 cases,
and Dalit men were involved in the other five cases.
A. Kathir, Executive Director of Evidence, told The Hindu that out of
the 28 cases, just one person had been convicted. Other cases were
either pending in court or being investigated by the police. On an
average, 20 to 25 First Information Reports were being filed in a year
on sexual harassment and rape cases against Dalit women in the State.
In many cases, proper investigation had not been done by the police.
Most of the cases were at the stage of preliminary investigation.
In 2010, the Evidence studied 115 incidents of atrocities against
Dalit women in the State. Of them, FIR had not been filed in more than
70 percent of the cases. Gender and caste discrimination,
socio-economic vulnerability, exploitation, lack of awareness and
others were among the reasons for the sexual assault, sexual abuse or
rape against Dalit women, including children.
Creation of a separate police wing and special courts for disposing of
cases against women and children, particularly Dalits, were among some
of the best options for speedy justice and to prevent crimes against
women.
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