Hyderabad (Telangana): The city of Nizams has been witness to over 400 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases reported each year, with an alarming 80 per cent involving perpetrators who manipulated their victims with deceptive promises of love.
This year alone, more than 500 cases have been registered within eight months. Among them, 279 victims had been lured by people they trusted as friends or lovers, underscoring the gravity of the issue.
Across Hyderabad’s 71 police stations, authorities report an average of 1-2 such complaints daily. One such incident involved a 16-year-old intermediate student who fell in love with a 35-year-old auto driver. She left home to be with him, only to realize later that he intended to sell her to a prostitution racket. Fortunately, she managed to escape. Investigations revealed that the accused followed similar modus operandi to deceive three other girls.
Another distressing case involves a 15-year-old from a well-off family. Despite being counselled, she repeatedly fell for different men, prompting her parents to bring her back home each time.
A police officer expressed concern over the counsellor’s inability to guide the young girl back to normal life.
Reports show girls aged 12-15 are the most frequent targets while offenders are typically between 25-35 years old.
Experts blame immature age and lack of understanding, a belief that the perpetrator cares more than family members, lack of proper parental supervision, temptation and family conflicts, financial problems and mental stress, a feeling of grown-up and wanting to make independent decisions coupled with the influence of hormones and overcuriousness on sexual matters as the vital reasons behind the young girls becoming easy prey to the perpetrators.
Dr. Geetha, a child counselling expert stressed the importance of open communication.
“Parents should explain the impact of hormonal changes and attraction at an intermediate age. Instead of treating those ensnared in the traps of false love as adversaries, they should extend the necessary support, helping them regain a sense of normalcy,” she said.
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