Introduction of sex education in high schools has "spoilt" the minds of children of impressionable age, an Andhra Pradesh High Court Judge said here today.
"Introduction of sex education in high schools (adult education programme), launched in 2005-06, has only spoiled the minds of children in the impressionable age. Parents have responsibility to bring children on the right track," Justice L Narasimha Reddy said.
Justice Reddy, also the Chairman of the High Court Legal Services Committee, further said the collapse of joint family system has created a sense of insecurity for children.
He was speaking at a sensitisation programme for stake-holders on the "Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012".
Speaking at the function, Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta observed though the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 was passed over a year ago, a lot needs to be done when it comes to its implementation.
"The last 20 years have witnessed growing incidents of sexual offences against children," Sengupta said and emphasised the role media and police play in checking this.
"The incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation which are reported at schools, rural areas, hospitals and other public places can be prevented through immediate action," he said while stressing the need for the media to report such incidents only after ascertaining all facts.
State DGP B Prasada Rao said emergence of nuclear families has created a situation wherein parents are unable to give quality time and parental care to children.
"There (parents) responsibility is handed over to maids or wardens," he said.
TV, cinema, internet and mobile phones are proving to be a distraction and also adversely affecting the behaviour of children, Rao said.
"Police have to be courteous with child victims of sexual abuse and they should not provoke them with abusive behaviour as child victims of sexual abuse are in a state of shock, trauma and fear," the DGP said.
