Karnataka Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Laxmi Hebbalkar, called on the public to actively help in stopping crimes against children. This appeal follows concerns raised by BJP MLA Y. Bharat Shetty regarding the rising cases of child kidnapping and sexual abuse in the state. Shetty highlighted the need for more effective measures to tackle this issue during a session at the State Assembly.
In response to Shetty’s concerns, Minister Hebbalkar emphasized the government’s commitment to child safety and provided detailed information on the laws and preventive actions being taken. Despite existing regulations and initiatives like the Child Protection Policy, Shetty noted a significant annual increase of 70 to 75 percent in cases of child abduction and abuse, indicating a need for better implementation strategies.
Acknowledging the challenges in combating these crimes, Minister Hebbalkar stressed the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding children. She mentioned ongoing awareness campaigns in schools, hostels, and public spaces, along with initiatives to promote awareness of the POCSO Act and helplines. Additionally, she highlighted the establishment of the Akka Force, operational in all 31 districts, to prevent crimes against children and women.
Speaker U.T. Khader supported the suggestions put forth by MLA Shetty, emphasizing the need for further preventive measures to address crimes against children. Minister Hebbalkar outlined the role of the Akka Force, which comprises exclusively female personnel and conducts daily patrols for 12 hours. She encouraged the public to utilize helplines like ‘1098’ for child-related issues and emphasized the importance of early reporting to prevent such crimes.
