Our kids are safe nowhere and this recent case proved just that.
In a first, a 10-year-old girl's sketches were used as a testimony to nail her alleged rapist uncle, two years after the crime.
This judgement in any other case would not have sufficed, but a trial court in Delhi took into consideration the girl's emotional turmoil depicted by her in those sketches.
The 8-year-old's horrific ordeal
At the age of 8, this young girl was abandoned by her father after her mother died. But that as just the beginning of her ordeal. She then started living with her aunt and uncle in Delhi, who were supposed to be her 'saviours.'
But little did she know that these 'saviours' would turn out to be a monsters. While her aunt made her clean homes for money, her uncle Akhtar Akhmed reportedly sexually assaulted several times. And then one day, she fled the place.
She was found in a bus in November 2014 and her medical examination proved that she was assaulted. Naturally, a man hunt was issued and that led to Akhtar's arrest last year, however, he pled 'not guilty.' His lawyer ever stated that the girl was point fingers of assault at her uncle.
The spine-chilling sketches
But as they say, what has to happen, happens.
During the court hearing when she was handed over a paper and some crayons to keep her occupied, she drew a horrific image (below). In the images you can see an undressed girl holding a few balloons. You can even spot the clothes lying on the floor.
This sketch immediately drew the judge's attention and he took it in as evidence.
"If the elements of this drawing are considered in the background of facts and circumstances of this case, then commission of sexual assault upon her by somebody in her house after undressing her, and it leaving an impression upon her mind, becomes evident," said Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav to the court reportedly.
He even added that the girl's suffering was clearly depicted in these sketches. "Therefore, I find the child victim to be a competent witness," he told the court.
Her saviour was her tormentor
The court also noted that the uncle who was supposed to save the girl, tormented her and became her torturer.
"Her so-called saviour had committed repeated sexual assault on her," the judge said sentencing Ahmed to five years in jail as well as a fine of Rs 10,000 since the assault was not 'penetrative.'
Fortunately, the 10-year-old is a good student and is doing 'very well' at her school. But this little girl was courageous and shared her ordeal after fleeing from her horrid uncle's clutches. Not all kids are the same.
Some live with guilt and fear long after their abuse and that is why it is important to always be careful about who your kids play and hang out with.
3 ways to protect your kids from sexual assault
Our expert Seema Hingorrany, Mumbai-based renowned psychologist lists the ways in which parents can identify and counsel kids who have been through the ordeal.
- Be suspicious if your child is singled out as 'special'
- Be extremely wary of one-on-one time
- Don’t ignore family history
- Choose your child’s own male role models
- Don’t take sleepovers lightly
- Conduct background checks
- Meet everyone who will be working with your child
- If you suspect abuse, ask questions, look for changes in your child and act quickly
"It is must for parents to be mindful and conscious of their children's activities. Make sure you spend enough time with them to keep a tab on anything suspicious you feel might have happened with them," says Hingorrany.
For more, read: 5 simple tips to protect your child from sexual abuse
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[All images courtesy: Pixabay with inputs from TOI and Dailyhunt | Lead image for representational purposes only]
