I agree with what President Mohamed Nasheed said in today's rally against child abuse. His rationale for why there appears to be an increased incidence of abuse cases now appears to be relevant and true.
It is true child abuse has not suddenly escalated in the country, but decades of what has been pushed under the carpet has exploded ...only now. What we are seeing today is an aftermath...of many things gone wrong for a long long time.
May be for some reason people feel it is safe to report such incidents now, avenues for reporting have probably become more accessible now, may be the police is more vigilant and the authorities despite there being a risk for facing blame is willing to demonstrate greater transparency.
If one closely examine the reports of abuse which has hit our national headlines of recent and look at the time line, it becomes clear that most of the abuse that has been brought to the limelight began years ago.
We are fortunate that people can go out and rally about these issues today.
It is wonderful that our leaders kept aside their party interests and political differences for once, and spoke with national interest while pouring out their passion and commitment to bring out the changes which are so badly needed in our country.
I am sure those wonderful people, who for years have silently struggled to take care of victims of child abuse will now get due recogntion for their tireless work. I feel glad that today others have decided to take their burden to the national forefront and do something solid about addressing the issue of child abuse in the country.
For some reason I feel relieved today. I think I can see a rainbow in the sky.
The rally is hopefully going to be a beginning of real social reform and all those who joined their hands and hearts and brought their thoughts to their lips will carry forward good enough work in making our society a safer place.
Aameen.
5 comments:
Salam.Good points. Still there are many families who fear to report such cases. They fear that their diginity will be tarnished in their community if they report such cases. I personally met with some families faced with this problem. In one case, the mother said she cant report coz the "abuser" is the breadwinner of their family.
At least people now recognise that child abuse is a very real and clear and present danger to Maldives.
What is now wrong is nobody wants to address the real issue that will solve these problems: change evidence laws so that the abusers can be punished.
We can hold walks, rallies, and make much noise in the Parliament, but as long as evidence laws are not changed, people will continue to abuse children.
I don't understand why Maldives should practise double standards when it comes to evidence laws: while some cases are dealt under Islamic Sharia, other cases are not. There should be a uniform code of dealing with all issues. Maybe a fusion of Islamic Sharia and civil codes. Only in that way, can forensic evidence can be incorporated as evidence.
in agreement with Hilath, what we need is action, not words. Perpetrators of crime of all sorts know that with us, even things of immense magnitude such as the recent death of the baby boy at the hands of its mother, seem too easily forgotten after a big bang rally and political rhetoric at the Majlis. We need to act!
I was there. :P
Personally, I think that protests, without being backed up by actions is useless. If the perpetrators, and the judges who let the cases fester are punished properly by an angry mob, good good.
Maldives has been a state of double standards - a legacy of the previous regime. It is time to remove the vestiges of the last regime and move forward.
Though reporting is very important, what good will come out
1. if the victims still live with the abusers inside one home,
2. if the abusers are not punished,
3 MOST IMPORTANTLY if the victim goes unattended?
Counselors are needed in abundance and it is the authorities who need to take charge, educate more people and train them to become effective counselors....
CSA is not something that can be prevented so to say BUT we need to help the victims, survivors lead a normal life more importantly as this is something in our own hands!
Sad to say this whole country do not have relieable source for survivors to turn for counselling and healing! no therapy or support groups....thus they live with the damage, only thing when reported they MAY BE saved from more abuse from the same abuser, but who knows where the other abuser is lurking?
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