SPOTLIGHT | BEYOND THE SCANDAL: HOW WE FAIL MINORS

PANAJI
Behind the headlines of the Curchorem sex scandal lies a more pervasive crisis. In the span of just less than a fortnight, Goa has reported at least 9-10 cases of sexual offences involving minors, which has undoubtedly raised serious concerns about the scale of abuse and the systems meant to prevent it.

The alleged sex scandal in Curchorem, which has already seen five First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against the same accused, continues to cast a long shadow. Crime Branch sources said the case is far from being closed, with fresh complaints still emerging and the accused Soham Naik, son of BJP-backed councillor Sushant Naik, facing a widening legal net.

Even as this high-profile case remains under investigation, with each case assigned to an investigating officer supported by a team, the State has reported at least 9-10 cases involving minor victims recently, including, five cases against 20-year-old Soham Naik.

Recent cases raise alarm

The latest among them surfaced in Sancoale, where Verna Police booked a 23-year-old man, Arun Chawan from Baina, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The complaint, filed by the victim’s mother, alleged that the 15-year-old girl was subjected to repeated sexual assault over nearly two years, from April 2024 to March 30, 2026.

Just days earlier, another case rattled North Goa when a 17-year-old boy was sent to the State-run remand home Apna Ghar after a 14-year-old girl was found to be pregnant. Police sources said the two students from the same school allegedly formed a relationship that remained concealed from their families. The case came to light only after the girl complained of abdominal pain and was taken to Asilo Hospital, where doctors confirmed the pregnancy, and transferred the matter as a medico-legal process to Goa Medical College and the police.

A troubling pattern over time

These are not isolated incidents. Data compiled over the past decade highlights a pattern too stark to ignore. Goa recorded nearly 3,000 cases involving minor victims in the last 12 years, as per government records.

The numbers have been disturbing each year, but even more troubling was in 2023 alone, when around 500 such cases were registered -- the highest in recent years. In 2025, the first nine months saw around 269 child victims of crime, including 185 girls and 84 boys, according to figures from the Victim Assistance Unit (VAU).

Digital risks and changing behaviour

Behind the numbers is a more complicated reality, shaped by a mix of visible pressures and less apparent forces. Law enforcement officials point to increasing awareness and reporting as one factor behind the surge. But many also acknowledge that social media has altered the landscape in ways that are still poorly understood. Easy access to online platforms, exposure to explicit content, and the blurring of boundaries between private and public interactions have all been cited as possible contributors.

VAU in-charge Emidio Pinho explained that the “Lock Chat” feature on WhatsApp is commonly used for school communication and social interaction. He explained that the newer feature allows conversations to be hidden behind a password or fingerprint. “While this feature is intended for privacy, it can also prevent parents from identifying risky or inappropriate interactions. Parents should be aware of such features, openness, and transparency,” he said.

The seriousness of this feature became evident in this very year, when it came to light that a 36-year-old taxi driver befriended a 13-year-old girl online. It began with a simple “hi” on Instagram and gradually moved to WhatsApp. Police sources revealed that the accused then used the Lock Chat feature to hide their conversations.

“This meant that even if someone opened WhatsApp, the specific chat could not be accessed without a code being typed in the search bar, while the rest of the app functioned normally. Over time, the child was manipulated and sexually exploited by threatening her,” said the source, adding the accused was thereafter arrested.

Gaps in awareness and justice delivery

At the same time, societal pressures, including silence around adolescent relationships, lack of comprehensive sex education, and stigma attached to reporting abuse, continue to create conditions where exploitation can thrive unchecked.

“Teen pregnancy remains a significant concern,” Pinho added, noting that cases have been reported among girls aged 14 to 17. In 2023 alone, there were instances across all age groups within that range.

National data shows the depth of the crisis as the National Crime Records Bureau stated that Goa reported the country’s highest rate of rape of minors in 2022 at 7.1. In that year, 57 of the 75 cases registered were victims below the age of 18.

Despite these figures, conviction rates remain a concern. Police sources acknowledge that while detection has improved, cases often falter in court. Since 2019, there have been over 40 acquittals and fewer than or around 10 convictions amid over a dozen cases still pending investigation or trial.

Educator and activist Sabina Martins recently told The Goan that a high detection rate does not necessarily translate into justice. “In many cases, trials have dragged on for years, even a decade. Survivors are forced to relive the trauma each time they are summoned, while in some instances the accused or their families file counter-complaints to intimidate victims into silence,” she said, explaining the situation across victims of all age groups.

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Tips for parents to keep children safe online

• Keep devices in common areas: Encourage children to use devices in shared spaces so you can casually monitor their activity and reduce risks.
• Limit late-night phone use: Set a rule against using phones in bedrooms at night, when unsafe interactions are more likely.
• Teach children about online strangers: Explain that people online may pretend to be someone else. Requests for photos, secrets, or private chats are warning signs.
• Be careful about sharing information and photos: Children should avoid sharing personal details like school, address, routine, or location. In small places like Goa, this can make them easy to identify. Remind them that photos can be saved, misused, or screenshotted—even if they seem to disappear. If it’s private, don’t share it.
• Encourage open communication: Ensure children feel safe discussing anything online without fear of punishment, so they don’t hide concerns.
• If your child encounters pornography online: Stay calm and avoid anger. Ask how they found it and how they feel. Report such content on cybercrime.gov or call 1930 if needed. Keep communication open so they feel safe coming to you again.
• As technology becomes central to children’s lives, parents must stay vigilant. Clear rules, awareness, and open communication can help children use technology safely. The strongest safeguard is a parent who is present, attentive, and involved. 

(As shared by VAU in-charge Emidio Pinho)