The number of reported cases of child sexual abuse is increasing in the country. 35 child sexual abuse and molestation cases have been reported this year, an increase from nine cases last year.
Gelegphu alone saw 17 such cases, which was the highest. This was shared while observing the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children in Thimphu yesterday.
The RENEW’s Executive Director Tandin Wangmo said 35 cases in a year for a country with a population of little over 700,000 is alarming and calls for stringent laws and policies in dealing with child sexual abuse and molestation.
“If more people are coming forward to report definitely to me it means we are not doing enough to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse of children happening in the communities.”
She added the figure is the number of cases reported in the media and there could be more such cases.
Besides child sexual abuse cases, domestic violence cases are also increasing. 385 domestic violence cases were reported in 2017. And 74 per cent of victims accept domestic violence as justified and often consider it their karmic debt which the officials say is alarming.
In Bhutan, one out of every four married women between the age group of 15 to 49 reported having experienced some form of domestic violence.
To eliminate violence against women and children, National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) launched the Bhutan Pilot: Addressing Violence Against Women and Children, a pilot project targeting Babesa community in Thimphu.
“The program is structured in such a way that it will address issues such as family, gender inequality, coping with stress. It aims to address gender-based violence through the core causes of violence against women,” Sonam Lhamo, the Project Officer of Bhutan, said.
RENEW also launched Tshechui Garchham Gyi Shepa, a book intended to disseminate messages on social issues through mask dances during festivals, a comic book titled Bumchu Yeshey Dawa and a short film documenting voices of domestic violence survivors.
