Meghalaya: Agatha Sangma calls for awareness, collaboration to curb crimes against children

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Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Chairperson Agatha Sangma has termed the rise in crimes against women and children in the state as “very alarming” and called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address the issue.

Speaking to EastMojo, Agatha said, “It is definitely very alarming and that therefore our chief minister has stepped in and taken this initiative of creating this consultation with various stakeholders. A lot of work is being done in silos by departments but it's really time for us to come together and collaborate.”

She stressed the need to build awareness among children about their rights. “We need to incorporate safety provisions in the school curriculum. Children must be taught about what is safe touch and unsafe touch. If children are aware, perpetrators will not be able to take advantage of them,” she said.

On the reluctance of families to report abuse, Sangma said, “Mothers don't come up and speak up because sometimes it's a relative, a stepfather or an uncle. But the law mandates that if the child is being sexually abused, you have to report. If you do not report, you will be punished.”

Highlighting the growing influence of digital exposure, Sangma said parents must monitor screen time and spend quality time with their children. “There was a time we thought that if children go out, they are unsafe. But now we realise that in their own bedrooms with a mobile phone, they could be in equal amount of danger.”

She also called for trained counsellors in schools and more recreational spaces for children, adding that addressing issues like bullying, drug abuse, and mental health must be taken as priorities.


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