TN: Children’s home shut over sexual abuse charges
Cracking the whip on child abusers who run homes for the helpless, officials here closed down a home following complaints of sexual abuse.
“The Joy Karunai Illam, which functioned at Vasanthapuram, off the Tiruchy-Namakkal road, near here, was closed down after an inquiry proved allegations of sexual abuse,” district child protection officer (DCPO) M Selvam told Express on Monday.
Incidents of abuse in the home, where 21 children stayed, came to light three months ago when one of the inmates complained of sexual abuse by the son of the home’s caretaker.
Namakkal police booked G Jani (27), son of caretaker George Gnanasekaran, under sections 354 (3) and (4) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. The case was registered on June 21. The DCPO along with the chairman and members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) conducted a probe into the issue.
The District Child Protection Officer said, “Some of the girls revealed that they were subjected to sexual harassment at the home and the caretaker and his family covered up the incidents and threatening them of dire consequences if they complained. We directed the caretaker of the home to close down the home after charges were proved right.”
As many as 17 children were handed over to their parents on 27 August and 4 others were taken to Idhayalaya, a home for children at Omalur, Salem, he added.
Officials said the girl who made the complaint was subjected to sexual abuse in May. She remained silent on the issue as the caretaker and his family members had threatened her.G
However, the girl ran away from the home on June 21 and was found wandering at the bus terminus, here. When she was taken to the local police station, the girl told them the tragic story, prompting cops to swing into action, officials recalled.
