Sexual violence on rise in Chitwan

Bharatpur, July 26  : Chitwan district has recorded a rise in cases of sexual violence for three years. The incidents of rape and child sexual abuse increased in the district, according to District Police Chief Nabaraj Adhikari.    
    
During an interaction organized by the Maiti Nepal Chitwan chapter on 'Control of human trafficking and child sexual abuse' here Monday, Superintendent of Police Adhikari informed that the fiscal year 2076/77 witnessed 51 rape cases while it increased to 60 next year and 63 in the fiscal year 2078/79.    
    
Five cases of child sexual abuse were registered in 2076/77 which rose to 10 the next year and reached 17 in 2078/79. Even the involvement of teachers in child sexual abuse was recorded lately. However, the cases of human trafficking were declining in the district, Adhikari added.    
    
Six cases of human trafficking were registered in the fiscal year 2076/77 which declined to four next year and further dropped to three in 2078/79.    
    
Similarly, Superintendent of Police Adhikari shared that drug abuse among children was rising, and complaints on the exploitation of child labor were received in the district.    
    
The District Police Office, Chitwan has prepared a textbook on awareness against violence and drug abuse in order to decrease such evils. Efforts were on to include the textbook in the schools with the cooperation of local levels.    
    
Chief of Maiti Nepal in Chitwan, Ishwor Giri, also shared information on the present status of child sexual abuse and women trafficking in Nepal. The organization has been working actively to reduce social evils and crimes such as women trafficking. Those in desperate need of rescue are provided assistance and shelter by Maiti Nepal. Education is also provided to the rescued people.    
    
It was also informed in the program that a seven-year-old girl was admitted at SOS school in Chitwan, and three others at Teresa Academy, Kathmandu.    
    
Six women victims of violence were rescued and provided training on beautician skills. Maiti Nepal has been conducting a project named 'Free A Girl' with the monetary support of the Dutch government.    
    
Giri informed that the project launched in April 2021 would conclude by the end of 2022. (RSS)