A Government school teacher in Coimbatore has set an example in crisis intervention in child abuse by helping one of her girl students to take on a man who had sexually abused her. The timely intervention helped the police to arrest the 43-year old rapist and save the girl from further harassment.
The victim Nirmala (name changed), a class IX student, was allegedly raped by her neighbour Murugan (43) who used to frequently visit her mother, who was separated from her husband. The incident happened last month but the girl had not complained to anyone as the accused had allegedly intimidated the victim and her mother.
“Nirmala revealed her mental trauma to her teacher only when the latter reprimanded her for not concentrating on academics. On learning about the teenager’s plight, the teacher called the Childline helpline (1098) and briefed them about the incident. Volunteers of the Childline passed on the information to us,” an officer at the All Women’s Police Station (Central) said. On inquiring with the girl’s mother the police learnt that Nirmala was sexually assaulted at her house in Rathinapuri in the heart of the city on August 18. “Murugan entered the house when Nirmala was alone and sexually assaulted her. Her mother, a sanitary worker in a hospital ,was on night duty. Later, he threatened the woman and her daughter not to complain about the assault,” the police officer said.
After a police team assured the victim of protection, the mother and girl came forward and lodged a complaint against Murugan. “We have arrested the accused and remanded him in custody. The girl will be subjected to a medical examination soon,” the officer said adding that the teacher who played Good Samaritan preferred anonymity.
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