Holi, the festival of joy and colours, is also an occasion during which instances of sexual abuse of women and children increase. The use of intoxicants like cannabis and alcohol also shoots up during the day and under their influence many retort to misconduct and physical abuse. The children bear the maximum brunt as paedophiles find the boisterous celebration, throwing of colours and overall festivity as best time to put their heinous designs into practice.
Clinical psychiatrist and Associate Professor at Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) here Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta accepted that the case of sexual abuse, molestation and sexual crime against children increases during the festival of Holi. “On pretext of applying colour on women and children, many men molest them; the intake of Bhang and liquor blurs their capacity of thinking as to what is right or wrong,’’ Advising women to be cautious while playing Holi, Dr Sona Kaushal said that they should not remain quiet when someone tries to play with their dignity. The children should also be taught about good and bad touch, she added.
“Women should be vigilant for their safety and safety of their children on this very important day.
They should be alert so that the children are kept safe, away from dirty clutches of paedophile,’’ she said.
Experts suggest that one should look for changes in the child to detect occurrence of abuse. Some of these are regressive behaviour, withdrawal and isolation from others, increased aggressiveness or hostility and sudden fear of the dark and frequent nightmares.
A retired civil servant, RCS Rawat said that the State Government should start a helpline which should be functional during the festival of Holi on which the victims of abuse can call for counselling and other legal help.