April 9,2019:

Collective Coalition against Human Trafficking (CCHT) and Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, set up by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, launched a campaign on 6th April to make India Rape Free  by 2022.

The campaign started with a public dialogue at Bihar Voluntary Health Association, Patna on 6th April and will be carried forward to 19 other states.

Rape in India is a National Emergency. Despite strong legislation, our children and women live a life with fear. The absence of political will, accountability and social responsibility to combat rape is dismal. Through the power that we hold in our vote, we must demand that those who seek our vote must commit to creating a new India, a ‘Rape Free India - a Rape Mukt Bharat’.

“One of the biggest issues which the nation is facing today is safety of women and children. According to the NCRB data, a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes in our country. 106 rapes happen in our country every day. The situation needs to change.” Said Mr. OmPrakash, Director, Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation.

The campaign demands a budgeted National Action Plan to make a Rape Free India and atleast 10% allocation for child protection in the Union Budget. Any person accused of a sex crime must be suspended forthwith from the political party pending investigation.

“It is a matter of grave concern that the issue of rape has not got the prominence in the country’s political spectrum. We believe that the situation of rape will not change in our country, till rape becomes a political issue.” Said Y.K. Gautam from (CCHT) Collective Coalition against Human Trafficking.

The kick off event saw participation of influencers from all walks of life namely politicians, academicians and development sector professionals.

Among all Indian states, Bihar is one of the most populated, where children constitute 46% (4.8 Cr) of its total population. According to the NCRB data, crimes against children in Bihar have shown a growing trend with an increase of 36% in the last five years (2012-16).

This could be due to the increase in awareness level and improvement in reporting. In 2016, 3,932 cases of crimes against children were reported under Indian Penal Code (IPC) & Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO).

Of all the registered crimes against children across the country in 2016, about four percent were from Bihar. The state stands at ninth position, in terms of percent share of the total incidences of crime against children registered in 2016 in the country.

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