The news of a son’s sexual abuse by his mother has shocked the state. ‘Rare’ was the word used by many media channels when the news of a 35-year-old mother from Vakkom was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually abusing her 14-year-old son. The arrest of a victim’s mother under POCSO is unheard of in Kerala.
Here’s what happened.
The mother of four had separated from her husband, who worked in the Middle East. The couple went on to live separate lives with the father taking care of three children, and the mother taking responsibility for the youngest child. The matter of his son’s sexual abuse by the mother came into the light when the victim’s father was informed about it. He went on to lodge a complaint at Kadakkvoor police station against his wife to ensure his son’s safety.
Also Read: SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CHURCH AND THE CULTURE OF SILENCING
Since it was a child sexual abuse case, the police immediately filed a complaint and took the matter to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The case was very sensitive as it had never occurred in Kerala, and therefore, had to be carefully evaluated. So, the CWC took their time to investigate before arresting the mother. The police officer said, “We did not want to jump the gun and hence conducted a thorough probe. Meanwhile, the boy has given his secret statement to the magistrate under CrPC 164. We collected all the evidence and then only we proceeded with the arrest.”
Also Read: WHY DIDN’T OUR PARENTS TELL US WHAT SEX WAS ABOUT?
When the child was brought in, he was subjected to three days of counselling. The boy confessed that his mother had been misbehaving with him for quite some time. Post that, a report was drafted, which gave the police a direct cause to arrest the mother under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
The mother is now in judicial custody and lodged at the Attakulangara women’s jail currently.
