HYDERABAD: According to the Women and Child Welfare Department, 127 girl children in the city were rescued from child marriage last year.
Complaints regarding child sex abuse and child labour are also frequently made via the helpline.
Earlier, parents would be counselled and the girl would be rescued. Now, as soon as the child helpline gets proof of such marriage, an FIR is filed against both families and they are arrested immediately.
One of a child sharing her experience said, “I was not allowed to continue my education and was told to drop out of school and be at home. I called the child helpline and they convinced my parents and now I am continuing my education.”
Cases have also been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against men who tried to have sexual contact with the minor.
Madhavi Reddy from the Child helpline said, “We get at least four or five cases of child sex abuse in a month.”
In cases of child sex abuse, it has been found that the parents do not lodge the complaint and often it is the children who are taking the lead in raising their voices against the abuse.
Dr Himabindu Singh, professor of Paediatrics at Niloufer Hospital, says awareness regarding child abuse has increased and children know everything about child abuse.