ITANAGAR, Sep 8: The Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) has expressed deep shock and strong condemnation over the alleged abuse of a minor girl, following the circulation of a viral video purportedly showing an elderly person, identified as Biri Tara, allegedly abusing the child.
Terming the alleged incident “extremely serious”, the APWWS reiterated that there can be no compromise on the safety, dignity and protection of children. It stated that every child has the fundamental right to live free from violence, abuse, intimidation and exploitation, irrespective of the circumstances.
The Society appreciated the Itanagar Women Police Station for arresting the accused and called for a swift, impartial and time-bound investigation in accordance with the law. It further said that if the allegations are established, the accused must face stringent legal action under the applicable child-protection laws.
Emphasising the need to safeguard the child’s well-being, the APWWS said the minor must be treated as a survivor requiring protection and support, rather than being subjected to public scrutiny. It urged the authorities to ensure that the child receives appropriate counselling, care, legal assistance and a safe environment throughout the investigation and any subsequent proceedings.
The Society also made a strong appeal to the public, social media users and media organisations to refrain from circulating, forwarding or reposting the video or any material that could reveal the identity of the minor.
“Sharing such material can further violate the child’s privacy and cause additional psychological harm,” the Society said, stressing that the identity and dignity of the child must be protected.
The APWWS also called for greater awareness among families, communities, educational institutions and local authorities on child sexual abuse, mandatory reporting, early intervention and the responsibility of adults to protect children.
It emphasised that child protection cannot be left solely to law-enforcement agencies and must remain a collective responsibility of families, communities and the State.