Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Children turn `expert' speakers at workshop

Staff Reporter

Interactive session on `child abuse' by Karunalaya

CHENNAI: He was 11 when his mother pressed a hot dosa `kallu' against his thigh for upsetting the dinner vessel with a carelessly kicked ball. Four years later, a sprightly Yogesh stepped on to the stage on Sunday to ask a panel of child speakers about whether the police could be approached if children were beaten by their parents.

The occasion was a workshop on `child abuse' by Karunalaya Social Service Society on the `International Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse'. Sixteen `child experts' addressed nearly 300 children from streets and slums about emotional, physical and sexual abuse and how to face as well as prevent them.

"I am fine now," said Yogesh from Thideer Nagar Pallavan Nagar in North Chennai after shooting off another question to advocate Sudha Ramalingam.

The interactive session the audience had with the child speakers as well as Ms. Ramalingam touched upon the various manifestations and implications of abuse. It also prompted curious young minds to voice their views, doubts and opinions. The questions ranged from, `What is emotional abuse? Is it just the use of foul language by adults or any intimidating talk?' to `Whom should we approach if police don't register complaints of physical abuse?' According to speaker Lourd Mary, any reprimand that caused mental agony to the child was abuse. And if the local police did not respond to the child's complaint, there were other police stations or the courts, explained 15-year-old Dhayanidhi.

When it came to rape, Ms. Ramalingam emphasised the importance of bringing the offenders to book as well as the legal support available to prevent the media from revealing the victim's identity.

As one little participant shouted into the mike: "Why are children sexually abused?" an impassioned speaker replied, "We don't even know what sexual abuse is. When others misuse our ignorance and do whatever they want, we don't protest ... we suffer," to thunderous applause.

Later, Karunalaya director Paul Sunder Singh reiterated the importance of shouting out loud for help when physical contacts and situations became uncomfortable.

The most heart-warming story came from Vignesh who talked about the repercussions of physical abuse inside homes. "There was this alcoholic father who used to beat his wife everyday. The son decided to help his mother one day and suffered a lot. The mother set herself on fire and was killed. Because of that the boy is in a hostel." Vignesh paused and wrapped up: "The boy is none other than me. Please talk to us with some affection."

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