Why we need to talk to boys about rape

In Kerala, India's most developed and literate state, an 18-year-old Dalit athlete has revealed to social workers that she has been sexually abused since she was 13 by 64 men. Gang-raped five times in as many years, she says.

- Namita Bhandare

Let that sink in. At the time of writing, police in Pathanamthitta district have detained 42 people and 30-odd cases have been registered. The girl is now in a shelter home, and I can only hope she is receiving the counselling and care she undoubtedly needs.

Who are these men? Their ages range between 17 and 47. Their names are Amal, Adarsh, Joji Mathew, Sivakumar, Aji, Aswin and others. They are the girl's neighbours, her father's friends and her sport coaches, according to the BBC. The scale of the crime brings memories of another horror in southern France where Dominique Pelicot spent a decade drugging his wife of 40 years and inviting 70-odd men to rape her while she was comatose. Only three reportedly turned down the invitation. Not one reported this to the police.