Kochi: Kerala Police have registered multiple FIRs and arrested six people after an 18-year-old district-level female athlete from Pathanamthitta district alleged that more than 62 men had sexually abused her over a period of five years.
Among the abusers were the Dalit girl’s coaches and her fellow athletes, against whom four FIRs were filed on Friday and at least 15 people have been arrested, PTI reported.
The alleged crimes came to light when volunteers of Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society met the girl during a random field visit. When she wanted to share her bitter experiences in recent years, the volunteers informed the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
The victim shared that she started facing abuse at the age of 13, when her neighbour forcibly tried to show her pornographic videos.
Thereafter, the girl was abused at an isolated hill close to their house and also raped by her friends.
A special team formed by Pathanamthitta SP VG Vinodkumar is probing the allegation.
Preliminary investigation has identified at least 62 men as potential perpetrators against whom cases have been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Advocate N Rajeev, who heads the Pathanamthitta CWC, said the matter came up before the committee 15 days ago. “I told the girl to report before the committee along with her mother. She was given counselling and she opened up before a psychologist, narrating the sexual abuse she has been facing since the age of 13.”
The girl’s family was unaware of the alleged sexual abuse all these years.
“She hadn’t shared anything with the mother. Since the girl is a district-level athlete, she has attended various sports camps over the years. That situation might have facilitated this series of sexual abuse,” Rajeev said.
“She used the mobile phone of her father, an alcoholic. Most of the perpetrators were identified from the list of contacts in the mobile phone. Many numbers were found saved in it,” Rajeev said.
“Psychologists with the Nirbhaya scheme spoke to her to ascertain the credibility of her claims. They also examined her father’s mobile phone to find out the names of the alleged abusers. Once the probe progresses, the chances of involvement of more people cannot be ruled out,” he said.
The girl has been shifted to a shelter home under the CWC to ensure her protection.
