Role of Media in Reporting Child Abuse discussed at orientation programme organised in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: Speaking on "End violence against children and child marriage" at an orientation programme held for Media persons/students organised by Thozamai, an NGO working for Children, Women and Youth, the Chief Editor of Sathyam TV, K.Shanmugasundaram said, journalists should focus more on reporting violence against children, irrespective of newsroom politics and time bound stories.

“I have been working with Newspapers, TV’s for many years now. Lately, I see very few stories reported on child abuse including child marriage in media ayfoems. Whereas, the numbers of child abuse globally are appalling (53% of children have been abused globally according to a survey done in 2007)” told Mr. Shanmugasundaram while reinstating about the role of journalists/ stringers to highlight child rights.

He added that while reporting child violence or issues related to minors, journos must excercise utmost caution to protect the whereabouts of the child and their family.

The programme was introduced by A.Devaneyan, Director of Thozamai, NGO. As many as 55-60 crore children are being abused across the world and he added India topped fifth in the list. Recently, abuse against children are on the rise in India followed by Brazil, Ethiopia and other countries.

Of the 1593 POCSO cases registered in Tamil Nadu during the year 2016, close to 199 cases have been dismissed without any valid reasons, which means that 14% of cases registered for violence against child have been dismissed, noted Mr. Devaneyan.

He added that many times child abuse and violence starts at home, schools etc and said the interests of a child, the right to have their views should be taken into account accordance with their age and maturity. However, in reality, children are denied of their rights, he alleged.

Taking a jibe on media, he said while publishing story/news related to child abuse, media should ensure to protect the identity of the child and the family. And, cited that some media fail to follow these protocols ans cause more grief to the victim and their family.

Christy, an Advocate from Salem informed that in 2019, 95 child marriages took place in Coimbatore district during and added that lack of awareness in the issue, still prevails.

Cooperation among convergent departments- DSWO, DCPO, CWC,JJB and Police should be stronger to eradicate this, he proposed.

He said the District Social Welfare Officers(DSWO), District Child Protection officers (DCPO), and all others must cooperate and act together to abolish child marriage. Not to forget, the caste system plays a major role in keeping the problem alive. People living in rural areas are unaware of the legal implications of child marriage and the need to end it.

In the recent years, Salem and Krishnagiri jointly witnessed 850 such cases and more than 150 minor abortions. And, 20% of child marriages have been recorded in Coimbatore. Every child irrespective of cast, creed, religion or financial status must be given the right to education and the state government should devise more policies to safeguard child rights, emphasised the advocate.

Pointing out at an 2013 act of National Commission for Protection of Child rights (NCPCR), the defence advocate opined that the act has to be reviewed, every five years, he added.