Rape emerges as key reason for school dropouts: DCPCR
New Delhi: "Rape is the key reason emerging for school dropouts," reveals a study conducted on 100 child rape victims by Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). According to child rights body, the study found that 52 per cent of the total child victims are currently studying in schools and the corresponding shares of school goers among girls and boys are 51 per cent and 67 per cent respectively. "There is, however, a huge gap in educational attainment, as could be noticed in the share of dropped out children, who form 42 per cent of the total sample," revealed report.
The report further added that 55 per cent of families of victims face different types of challenges in providing education to their children. The two key challenges are the low income of families (57 per cent) and the safety and security of children (47 per cent). While the study could establish desire of child victims for upward social and economic mobility, the inability of the majority of children to share their future career plans is indicative of their ignorance as well as the inability to set goals of life.
"11 per cent of children would like to join administrative services and 8 per cent would like to be in the teaching profession. While 5 per cent of children would like to be doctor, 4 per cent each would like to become a lawyer and engineer. While 3 per cent children each would like to be a player and dancer, 6 per cent children," report revealed. 56 per cent respondents out of the total sample could not share their future career plan. Out of the total 100 child victims of rape covered in the study, only 15 per cent have received compensation money from the government. Analysis of data on the nature of livelihood challenges reveals job loss as a major challenge that has affected nearly half (49 per cent) of the total number of families that are facing the crisis.
Out of the total, 26 per cent of children suffers from different types of physical illness that can be linked to the incidence of rape. The study found that families of 55 per cent child rape victims are poor with the monthly family the income of Rs 10,000 or less. The 52-page study report was prepared under the guidance of Ramesh Negi (chairperson DCPCR) and Jyoti Duhan Rathee (member DCPCR). More than 50 areas in 10 districts were covered during the study. They collaborated with Human Development Society.
The child rights body conceived a community-level intervention named "Smile Clubs" to be implemented in all the districts of the National Capital Territory (NCT). The commission intends to make these children smile by rehabilitating and reintegrating them with society so that the consequences of rape and sexual abuse do not deprive them of happiness and preclude their development.
