Panaji
A newspaper headline reads: ‘Father cleared in POCSO case after daughter denies abuse’. It is not rare for someone to be acquitted in a rape case. Many such cases are either withdrawn by the victim or dismissed by the court for lack of evidence. In Goa, a team of committed individuals is working to change that. They offer legal and emotional support to victims, help take their case forward, accompany them to police stations and courts, and assist police officers. All this is done voluntarily, without pay or public recognition. Goa is the only state in India to have such a team.
According to SCAN-Goa, a case reaches its proper end only when the child comes out of trauma and is able to face society again. The team, made up of lawyers, counsellors, and social workers, supports children who are victims as well as those in conflict with the law. SCAN-Goa was started in 2013 by Adv Emidio Pinho and Audrey Pinto. In 2014, they took on the government’s Victim Assistance Unit. The current team includes Adv Aloysia Andrade, social worker Cyanna Hoogewerf, and counsellors Khushbu Lotliker and Priyanka Kamble.
Since 2014, SCAN-Goa has supported over 3,000 victims, both children and adults. “Among these, the youngest rape victim was a 13-month-old baby, and the youngest child who was impregnated through rape was a 10-year-old girl. We also saw a case where the parents of the victim legally adopted the baby of their daughter through CARA (Central Adoption Resource Agency) process,” shares Adv Emidio.
The team follows up on every case referred by the police. They visit police stations and accompany victims for medical examinations. “We are physically present with the victim during the investigation process. Offering legal and emotional support, we remain at their side as the traumatised victims are sometimes unable to even utter a word,” shares Adv Aloysia.
Each case is different
Every case is handled differently because the social and economic conditions of each victim are different. Help may include free rations for the family or finding a job for a family member. SCAN-Goa offers complete support under one roof – counselling, education, vocational training, job placements, and help in getting government schemes, so that the child and family can become self-reliant. If the child has dropped out of school, they are helped with formal or informal education (like NIOS) or vocational skills.
Sexual abuse
More girls than boys are victims of sexual abuse. But boys face a higher number (24–30%) of other forms of abuse, including physical violence, assault, corporal punishment in schools, and domestic violence. If a child has witnessed a crime – even murder – they are supported with counselling and regular follow-up. If needed, they are referred to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for care and protection. There are cases where a child sees one parent kill the other and is left alone when the surviving parent is jailed. In such cases, the child is placed through CWC. When the victim is returned to their family, they are monitored regularly.
Rising teen pregnancies
Adv Emidio raised concern about the increase in teenage pregnancies in Goa. “Teenage pregnancies are a major issue and there is a need for an aggressive campaign among the teens, informing and educating them about sex in a comprehensive way. The reason for increased teenage pregnancies is lack of awareness (sex education) in schools and absence of basic knowledge about physical and emotional changes during puberty,” he says.
Training and awareness
SCAN-Goa does much more than just support victims. It also trains officials who handle abuse cases and runs awareness campaigns to prevent abuse. “Over the past three years, we conducted 298 training programmes for educational institutions and other stakeholders. We also carry out focused awareness programmes at schools and colleges in Goa. To stress on the need to provide prompt assistance to potential victims, we ensure that every child is informed of the availability of support mechanisms through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials,” he asserts.
In partnership with Goa Police and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), SCAN-Goa is also running a sticker campaign across the State. Stickers with helpline numbers are being placed on autos, taxis, buses, and at bus stops. The next goal is to put them at railway stations and other public places. Stickers will also be printed in multiple languages.
Reporting early is key
The team often sees that crimes are reported late, which affects the medical and legal process. If the family, victim, or public knows who to approach and uses the toll-free numbers provided by the police and the Women and Child Development Department, cases can be reported faster. SCAN-Goa works under this department. “In Goa, rape under the influence of alcohol or drugs is becoming common. The State is also seeing a rising trend of school children getting addicted to vaping. Vapes are chargeable e-cigarettes, available in various flavours. Possessing e-cigarettes is illegal but they can be easily ordered online. As these e-cigarettes do not smell like tobacco, nobody has any doubt that the child is using it,” points out Khushbu Lotliker.
Addiction can often lead to crime. When a child does not have money to support the addiction, they may begin lying, stealing, or even committing serious crimes like assault or murder for money.
“Our efforts are on. It is best to nip the crime in the bud, so that it does not escalate into an uncontrollable situation. Children are the future of our State and nation. We must preserve their childhood and let them grow into a healthy community. SCAN-Goa is a small step towards achieving this big target,” asserts the team.
