Mumbai: Father booked for abuse of disabled teenage boy

An educational institution that provides learning and behavioural support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities alerted the police after a 17yearold student shared disturbing details during a counselling session The abuse that the teen spoke about is alleged to have taken place at the familyrsquos South Mumbai residence officials saidThe centrersquos psychologist had observed sudden changes in the teenrsquos behaviour over several sessions The boy who had become increasingly withdrawn anxious and hesitant to communicate was invited for a oneonone interaction where the counsellor took him into confidence During this ldquosafespacerdquo conversation the teen disclosed information suggesting that he had been subjected to troubling experiences at homeRecognising the seriousness of the revelation the psychologist immediately acted on her professional responsibility She personally approached the police station and lodged a complaint based on her observations and the studentrsquos disclosures Officers said the timely and sensitive intervention by the institution ensured that a vulnerable child did not remain unheardldquoThe psychologist acted in the childrsquos best interest Her awareness and prompt action brought the matter to light without delayrdquo a senior officer said Investigators said that according to the complaint the alleged acts occurred repeatedly at the residence between September 1 and November 7 Following this information a case has been registered against the boyrsquos 58yearold father under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and multiple provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO ActPolice have initiated a detailed investigation and are verifying all aspects of the case Meanwhile the teen has been placed under expert care at the institution where authorities have prioritised his emotional wellbeing and physical safetyldquoChildren who have been subjected to such incidents usually show noticeable changes in their behaviour Their eating habits may be affected and disturbed sleep nightmares and crying are other signs They may also stop engaging in activities that they once enjoyed They often appear fearful and anxious If family members or teachers observe such behavioural changes and take the child into confidence to speak with them such incidents can be identified early and prevented from continuingrdquo said psychiatrist Dr Dayal MirchandaniSteps to help a distressed childProviding speedy reliefCall lsquoCHILDLINE 1098rsquo right away from any phone anywhere in India It is a 24times7 free emergency helpline for any child in distress that can arrange rescue medical care temporary shelter and connect the case to the Child Welfare Committee CWCIf the child is in immediate physical danger also call 112 Emergency Response Support System or the local police station and state childrsquos age type of disability if any and the distress the child facesProtection and sheltering processgtgt CHILDLINEpolice can produce the child before the local CWC under the Juvenile Justice law The CWC has authority to remove the child from an abusive home and place him in a registered child care institution or specialised home for intellectually disabled childrengtgt In many states including Maharashtra there are government aided homes and special schools specifically for intellectually disabled boys that provide residential care education and training admissions are usually routed via CWC or the district social welfaredisability officeDisabilityspecific helpFor specialised advice on intellectual disability call the National Intellectual Disability Helpline National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disability at 1800 572 6422 for guidance on services group homes and rightsSome NGOs and state policies provide ldquohomes for intellectually impaired personsrdquo and maintenance in MDC mentally deficient children homes for orphaned or unprotected intellectually disabled minors these are accessed through district social welfare offices and the CWC systemIf you are unrelated to childYou are allowed as a ldquoconcerned adultrdquo to report to lsquo1098rsquo or lsquo112rsquo you do not need the parentsrsquo permission and you may stay anonymous if neededKeep childrsquos name age address and landmarks details of the abuse physical sexual verbal neglect disability details handy so responders can plan appropriate interventionA more specific list of registered homes and NGOs nearby which can offer support after CWCCHILDLINE intervention is also available