BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde on Friday called for the introduction of a ‘safe-childhood’ curriculum in all schools to raise awareness about “good touch” and “bad touch” and help prevent cases of sexual abuse.

Speaking during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on a private member’s bill to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Bonde referred to National Crime Records Bureau data, noting that 1.77 lakh crimes were recorded against children in India, including 70,000 sexual offences.

He outlined a series of recommendations, including age-appropriate safety education in schools, mandatory training for police personnel, teachers, religious figures and community leaders, and the appointment of a child communicator in every police station.

Bonde also proposed a one-year time limit for completing trials in cases of child sexual exploitation and called for monthly safety audits of hostels, madrasas, ashrams, gurukuls, shelter homes, and other child-care institutions.

He said every district hospital should have a psychologist in the paediatric department and urged the creation of a national database of repeat offenders.

Bonde stressed that most crimes against children are committed by people known to them, noting that “95 per cent of offenders are known to the victims”. He said children should be made aware that no religious belief or cultural practice justifies sexual exploitation.

The BJP MP was speaking during the debate on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Fauzia Khan of the Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar.

Participating in the discussion, CPI member Sandosh Kumar P said cases involving political leaders, teachers, religious figures and other influential individuals continue to surface across the country.

CPI (M) MP V Sivadasan said the Union government has a primary responsibility to ensure child protection and emphasised the need for stronger social security measures. He said inadequate access to food, shelter and basic needs increases children’s vulnerability to exploitation. He also sought greater funding for mid-day meals and other support schemes and called for strict action against perpetrators.

Inputs from PTI

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