The Special Judge under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) was dealing with a case in which a 7-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by a 21-year-old around the public toilet of the slum where the minor resided and the applicant worked.
Additional Sessions Judge HC Shende commented on the plight of young kids staying in slums of Mumbai and who are compelled to use government public toilets located at a distance from their residence.
The judge reasoned that in a metro city like Mumbai, with space issues, the slums had ‘match-box’ like houses. In order to utilise spaces, people opt to use public toilets situated at some distance from their homes.
The problem arise when children were required to use those alone, making them easy target for assault which could leave a deep scar on them, the judge observed in the order.
Hence, he suggested that there ought to be some supervision near such toilets.
“…when small kids go to use these toilets, some trustworthy person shall accompany to them. At least a lady watchman needs to appoint at the said public toilet used by women and particularly minor children,” the judge suggested.
Harassment, he said, is a traumatic experience and also causes “mental harassment to the kids and such incidents are increasing rapidly so the parents must take care of it while sending their kids to the public toilet to avoid further harm”.
Source: Barandbench
