Sharp rise in child abuse cases in Karnataka amid Covid

Childrencontinue to be vulnerable on all fronts. While they may be less susceptible to the virus, the pandemic has unleashed an uptick in cases ofchild abuse.

Data shared by the Karnataka Commission for Protection ofChild Rights(KCPCR) has revealed that children below 18 years faced emotional, physical and online abuses after the lockdown was lifted after the first wave. Experts have suggested a comprehensive action plan to protect kids from these kinds of challenges. Between October 2020 and January 2021, children from the state faced instances of such abuse.

According to the data, in October 2020, 55 children faced were subject to various forms ofemotional abuselike using abusive or foul language, humiliating or threatening them, withholding support etc. November saw 38 such cases, December 42 and January 2021 saw 60, the highest in four months.