110 girls rescued from child marriage in 1 year
TNN | Dec 31, 2017, 12:38 IST
TIRUVANNAMALAI:
Five years before attending the legal age of marriage of 18 years, Kavitha (name changed) was forced into the wedlock by her parents and family members. The girl, who was forced out of school, was uncertain what her future. However, she was saved on the eve of her marriage by Tiruvannamalai district authorities.
This illegal practice is still widespread in several rural pockets of the state, especially in Tiruvannamalai district. Kavitha was one among 110 girls, aged between 13 and 17 years, saved from child marriage in the last 12 months.
Recently a case was filed against a 19-year-old man under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012, after he consummated his marriage with a 13-year-old girl. "The family of the 19-year-old even allowed them to live together three days before their marriage," district social welfare officer Christina Dorthytold TOI.
Next to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, Tiruvannamalai witnesses the highest number of child marriages. Places notorious for this practice are Tiruvannamalai, Thandrampet, Chengam, Chetpet, Pudupalayam and Arni blocks.
It is a daunting task to stop the child marriages as the families of the bride and groom often harass the officials and field staff, Dorthy said.
Sending a strong message against child marriage, district judge and chairman of District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Tiruvannamalai, G Magizhenthi conducted a surprise check at Etivadi village in Kalambur police station limit recently. He stopped the marriage between a 17-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man.
Following this, the police registered a case against the groom, his parents, the girl's parents and owner of the marriage hall under the provision of Prevention of Child Marriage Act 2006. "We have organised a series of awareness campaigns among girl students in government and aided schools to educate them about the ill-effects of child marriage. We have also encouraged them to study hard and make big achievements in life," said Judge G Magizhenthi.
Since the campaign carried out by DLSA in November, the number of calls reporting child marriages has increased. "We have stopped three marriages in two days in the second week of December," Dorthy said.
She said that they have stopped 68 child marriages in 2016, but the number has almost doubled this year due to awareness among girl students. "In many cases, the victims contact the child helpline and seek help. There are incidents where the families disappear with the boy and the girl before we can reach the venue of the wedding," she said.
She said that they have stopped 68 child marriages in 2016, but the number has almost doubled this year due to awareness among girl students. "In many cases, the victims contact the child helpline and seek help. There are incidents where the families disappear with the boy and the girl before we can reach the venue of the wedding," she said.
Officials have taken strong legal actions against the parents of seven of the victims for trying to whisk the girl away before arrival of the district officials.
- Tiruvannamalai district ranks third in terms of highest number of child marriages.
-110 child marriages stopped from January 1 to December 30, 2017.
-68 child marriages stopped in 2016.
-Child Marriage prevalent in Tiruvannamalai, Thandrampet, Chengam, Chetpet, Pudupalayam and Arni blocks.
-As per Prevention of Child Marriage Act 2006, child marriage is punishable with rigorous imprisonment upto two years and fine to maximium of Rs 1 lakh.
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