There seems to be no end to cases of sexual assault against minor girls in the state. In yet another incident, an eight-year-old girl was assaulted sexually, but her family has been keeping quiet about the incident, as not every woman is as bold as Suja Jones, who has sent her husband, French Consulate official Pascal Mazurier, to jail for allegedly raping their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
The latest victim from Davangere has just been discharged from a district hospital and is recuperating at home after being sexually assaulted by a man from her community two weeks ago. The family had been keeping quiet, till the officer from the Child Protection Unit, Department of Women and Child Welfare, got a clue and rushed to the Davangere district hospital few days ago.
The incident occurred when the girl was alone at home after her parents, both employees with the municipal corporation, went to work. The accused lured the girl with biscuits and abused her. He probably would have killed her too and was dragging her to a nearby graveyard when she screamed at the top of her voice. Some passersby got hold of the perpetrator, beat him and dragged him to the police station.
The girl was shifted to the district hospital and her parents were informed. After a test by the hospital pediatrician, the girl was referred to the gynaecologist, who confirmed sexual assault. The girl was in the hospital for about a week. The child protection officer, who heard rumours, visited the girl at the district hospital. But her parents were not willing to press the charges and appeal before the Child Welfare Committee as they feared social stigma.
Pratibha M.H., Protection Officer, District Child Protection Unit, Department of Women and Child Welfare, said, “The incident has impacted the girl and her parents quite badly. The mother seems to be mentally disturbed and the girl, who otherwise used to be a jolly kid, does not talk much now. We will visit the girl’s house in another few days.”