SHOCKING CASE OF MASS ABUSE CALLS FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE

In a disturbing case of prolonged exploitation, an 18-yearold dalit girl was allegedly sexually abused by around 60 people over the past five years in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.

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The case came to light when volunteers of Kudumbashree, a women’s self-help group, felt something was amiss during a routine home visit and conversed with the girl. Learning about her ordeal, they swiftly alerted the district child welfare committee members, who informed the police. The initial police investigation indicated there were more than 60 accused, and out of them 52 have been arrested. The accused are mostly the victim’s classmates, friends and neighbours. according to the police, the girl’s ordeal started at the tender age of 13. The perpetrators allegedly recorded and shared explicit photos and videos of the