Delhi: 6-year-old raped by housekeeping staff in school toilet
In yet another horror in the national capital, a six-year-old girl studying in Class-I in a private south Delhi school has been brutally raped by a housekeeping staff member in a toilet. Police said the employee, who joined the school three months ago, has been arrested. The incident once again exposed the issue of child safety and sexual crimes against students in schools. Here's more.
On 4 October, the Class-I student had reportedly gone to the girls' washroom in the afternoon where she was raped. The incident came to light when the victim reached home at around 2:30pm and told her mother about it. Her father said that a woman employee, who was supposed to assist children in the washroom, was not present at the time.
Victim's father said: "She (woman employee) had been sent downstairs for some work. After using the washroom, my daughter called the woman for help but the male employee entered and assaulted her sexually. My daughter shouted and rushed to her class."
After the girl returned home and told her mother about the horrifying incident, her parents rushed her to AIIMS. The doctors there had confirmed rape. Police said they registered a case of rape under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). Confirming the arrest, an investigating officer said they are looking into whether the school verified the male employee's background before hiring.
AIIMS doctors reportedly stated the girl needs to undergo a surgery for her internal wounds. Her father said: "We are in shock and have nothing to say. We send our kids to get educated and not to be victims of such perverts loitering in schools."
Following cases of crime and sexual assault against children in schools, Delhi Deputy CM and Education Minister, Manish Sisodia, recently ordered all schools (private/government/MCD-run) to install CCTV cameras in their premises. They were asked to complete the process of police verification of their non-teaching staff. Delhi Police also assured it would improve security and conduct character verification of all school employees in the city.
