[10 Feb]The Catalog: No Safety in Schools
When Will Schools Learn?
When Will They Start Taking Responsibility?
When Will They Stop Repeating the Same Mistakes Over and Over Again?
Last week’s relentless news cycle on cases of abuse within school premises has left a depressing impression of our educational institutions. In almost every case, the schools were found inept. Instituting pre-emptive measures to prevent abuse – fail. Clearheaded response to the incident – fail. Sensitive engagement with bereaved parents – fail. It was a cascade of tragedy that could have been avoided or at the very least handled with a bit more dignity and grace. It did not have to be the worst.
So this week, we take a long, hard long at school safety. And as we all know, there is scope for improvement there.
Further down, we have 2 videos dug up from our mothership Prerana’s cavernous vaults. Last week, we missed The Week’s terrific cover story on the need for Witness Protection in the country. So we are featuring it this week.
Also two entries from our favorite new place on the internet – Agents of Ishq. One is a slice-of-life write-up on adventures in Comprehensive Sexuality Education. And the other – a terrific video in which children sing, dance and wisecrack their way around the human body. It blew our minds. We hope you have a similar experience.
For this edition of ‘The Catalog’, we would like to thank Paromita Vohra & The Agents of Ishq, SNEHA and Aarambh’s own Dr. Pooja Kandula for their contributions.
#Quote of the Week
“Three reasons why school security fails:
It can’t happen here.
We can’t afford it.
We don’t have the time to do all that.”
– Jack Martin, Retired Chief of School Police, Indianapolis Public Schools
“Any knowledge that doesn’t lead to new questions quickly dies out: it fails to maintain the temperature required for sustaining life.”
– Wislawa Szymborska
#No Safety in Schools
The Ryan International Case, Delhi
While the post-mortem has ruled out suspected sexual abuse, inquiry continues into the death of the 6 year old whose body was found in the pool of Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, Delhi. The school management has been opaque and defensive about the incident and prone to classic victim blaming. They’ve termed the 6 years old ‘special’ and ‘hyperactive’ with a tendency of ‘running away from class’. They however fail to mention what protection measures were provided for the child since the said ‘tendency’ was noticed. They have also failed in providing any succor to the distraught parents, choosing instead to indulge in a verbal tug-of-war with them.
The legality of the swimming pool and the thoroughness of the school’s safety measures are in question. In the aftermath of the incident, the Deputy Chief Minister called for a thorough inspection of all 3500 Delhi schools with regards to safety and security in the next one month.
The Sapphire International School Incident, Ranchi
While the Delhi case was unfolding, a case of abuse and murder of a minor was being reported from another international school, this time in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Initial reports of sexual abuse were again unfounded but the investigation lead down a trail of cold-blooded murder. A teacher and her family including her husband and minor son and daughter are implicated in the murder of the 12 year old student. The CCTV footage points to a security oversight. Once again, the response of the ‘reputed’ school was found floundering. As the visit of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights brought to light, the school had not yet called on the victim’s parents, even days after the incident took place.
The Kastoorba Balika Ashram Case, Bijapur
In Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, a girl studying in fifth in a residential school was the victim of penetrative sexual assault perpetuated by her badminton coach. It was revealed that in hiring the male coach, the school had flouted a policy that clearly specifies an all-women staff for residential institutions for girls. The tragedy lies in the fact that the policy was first put in place as a response to an earlier case of sexual abuse and assault.
“If we look back at our own school days, there was likely a member of the staff who made us uncomfortable. Our discomfort was unaddressed then and this is the case even today, due to a conspiracy of silence around sexual violence and abuse. Abuse is reported even less in the case of schools because of the power relations between educational institutions and students, more so if the parents are poor and illiterate.”
In the backdrop of the 2014 Bangalore Rape Case, Bharti Ali and Enakshi Ganguly Thukral of HAQ Centre for Child Rights had written an incisive piece on how schools and society fail to respond sensitively to cases of sexual abuse and the urgent need for implementing protection policies and systems. In the light of recent events, its worth a read and a re-read.
Child Protection Policy
i) Karnataka
ii) West Bengal
Drafting a Child Protection Policy (CPP) is the first step that a school can take towards committing itself to safety of children. A CPP is a document that lays down the principles and mechanisms to effectively prevent and respond to cases of sexual abuse. More and more states are making it mandatory for schools to have their own CPP. Karnataka and West Bengal have almost finalized a standard format that can be adapted or adopted by schools all over. Click the links above and take the first step.
Are Indian Schools Committed to Creating a Safe Environment?
A scattershot but valuable look at the larger picture of child-safety in India. Tracing a line from guiding principles to current policies to on ground implementation to gaps, it portrays a messy picture. But one with scope for improvement which can only be possible with pro-active efforts from schools, parents, education boards, policy makers, among others.
The United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence Against Children
It will soon be a decade since this world-wide participatory study with children was first conducted. But it reads with great clarity and relevance. Especially the sections of schools and institutions. An abridged version for children can be found here.
“I will listen to you.
I will believe you.
I will report.
I will insist that harassment is not okay.”
A professor writes to her students about abuse and harassment. She commits to believing her students and ensures that the college will take their side. There are lessons to learn here that we need to make part of our lives and institutions. A must read for teachers everywhere.
#New @ Aarambh
10 Things every Parent Needs to Check with Their Child’s School
Does your child’s school pass the test? Use this simple checklist as you evaluate how safe your child’s school is for them. Also check out our dedicated page for school safety byclicking here.
[Video]Child Sexual Abuse Is Almost Always Disguised As A Game
From our mothership Prerana’s vaults- an old ad campaign we collaborated on with Leo Burnett. Children who are victims of sexual offences or those who are being groomed for abuse, do not realize that they are in an abusive relationship with the perpetrator. The perpetrator tries normalize the abuse and desensitize the child.
[Video]More Than Half the Women in Brothels Are Just Girls
Another one from Prerana’s vaults. Over 50% of women involved in the sex trade are minors. Commercial Sexual Exploitation entraps thousands of girls each year in a vicious circle of abuse.
#MustRead
On The Need for Witness Protection In India
It’s not easy being a court witness in India. If the existential dread and tedium of delayed justice doesn’t get you, a bribe will. Not swayed by the bribe, perhaps threats to your family and your person will convince you. And if threats don’t work, there’s always assault to consider before bumping you off. All of it not necessarily in the above order. From Asaram’s POCSO case to the Vyapam Scam to the Salman Case, witnesses are either turning hostile or landing up dead. If there is any justice to be had, witness protection must be a priority.
The Diary of an Indian Sex Educator
“They beat around the bush when asked about female pleasure. Anger, hate and pain were easier to pinpoint on the body. Pleasure, joy were more difficult. Giggles were the most common response.”
Adventures in Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
#Social
Main Aur Meri Body (with english subtitles)
Children talk bodies, gender, love, attraction, sexuality & that little thing called growing up. 100% Bambaiyaishtyle!
To Contribute to The Catalog, email us at aarambh.prerana @ gmail.com or call/whatsapp on +91-8652625505.
See you next week.
