PANAJI
This year’s two cases of child pregnancies have yet again sparked debate surrounding the safety and well-being of young girls and teenagers, particularly in view of a concerning trend of ‘grooming’.
With an alarming increase in cases spanning five years, the police and the assisting units have recorded numerous cases involving men including those married with families, grooming vulnerable girls into illicit relationships.
Details with The Goan reveal that a maximum of 16 cases were reported last calendar year while the cases varied between 10 and 13 from 2019 to 2022. This year has already reported two cases with one victim child having already given birth.
Victim Assistance Unit (VAU) in charge in Goa, Emidio Pinho revealed that these perpetrators manipulate their young victims by making them believe they are the initiators of the relationship.
“The perpetrator builds trust and emotional connect and manages to convince his victim that she is solely responsible for their actions. The accused creates a sense of guilt and obligation in her to continue the relationship. This psychological manipulation leaves the girl feeling like the perpetrator and the real accused as the victim. This cycle of abuse is becoming a common phenomenon in Goa,” he said speaking to The Goan.
There are instances where the accused have children of similar age to their victims.
Pinho has emphasized the urgent need for the government to recognize ‘grooming’ as a serious punishable offense, which, he explained, will prevent further action of sexual assault and rape.
The police have also shockingly come across many cases where some victims, out of fear and shame, hide their pregnancies until delivery or until detected by the doctors. This is particularly prevalent among families with limited education, where parents may not recognize the signs.
“These girl victims also adeptly hide their condition by either isolating themselves in a room on the pretext of studying, wearing belly hide inners, and even loose clothes to cover their growing bellies. Even schools have failed to identify teen pregnancy because in some cases, victims are regular to school,” Pinho added.
The VAU has also urged raising awareness among both children and parents regularly.
