Street Children blow whistle against sexual violence, take out a rally

New Delhi: In Gurgaon, near Jalvayu Vihar Tower, local people were amazed to see a group of around 50 street connected children (lead by team members of Badhte Kadam-federation of street connected children from Delhi) blowing whistles and raising slogans against the recent alleged sexual abuse of an 18 month old girl in Gurgaon. It had been observed that an increase of such cases, in which children from as young as one year are sexually abused, has occurred. Street connected children face these problems and they have appealed many times before authorities but no action has been taken. Hence they decided to raise their own voice.

“We are organizing today a HALLA MACCHAO- BAAL SOSHAN HATAO campaign to create awareness among peer children and if children find any abuser near them or if someone tries to abuse them, they can raise voice and for that we have provided children whistle which they can keep with them and blow in the case of emergency”, said Jyoti (a former rag picker) 18 years old National Secretary of Badhte Kadam federation street connected children. “Every day I feel scared when I go to my house alone as there are many people who look at me and I don’t feel safe. But now I have a whistle which I can blow when I will be in trouble”, said 8 year old girl Afsana (name changed) who lives in Jalvayu Vihar and comes to study at CHETNA (Childhood Enhancement through Training and Action) NGO centre.

“This is really unfortunate that children are being abused and no action has been assured by the system”, said Mr. Sanjay Gupta Director, CHETNA NGO Vice chairperson, National Action and Coordination Group that works for ending violence against children.

The march was attended by more than 50 children and they moved around in local vicinity Jalvayu Vihar Tower which was indicative to ensure child protection but the message conveyed was high. “This campaign will now move to Delhi, Noida, Mathura, Agra, Lucknow, if action is not taken.” said Jyoti.