Minor sex, major problem

21 August,2009 08:54 AM IST |   |  Imran Gowhar

WHEN social workers at a city NGO started counselling a ten-year-old girl they met on the streets, they were taken aback by what followed.


WHEN social workers at a city NGO started counselling a ten-year-old girl they met on the streets, they were taken aback by what followed.

She admitted that she was involved in sex work for money and moreover, she had no regrets and was enjoying the work, she said. The girl had run away from her home in Mumbai a year ago and is right now undergoing a rehabilitation program undertaken by Bosco Mane. "She knew as much about sex as adults and many people at the railway station and bus stands were her regular customers," said Father Edward Thomas, executive director of Bosco Mane, an NGO working for the welfare of street children. "Sex crimes among minors seem to be growing," he added.

Bosco Mane volunteers also found that some of the boys they had rescued from railway stations and bus stands in Bangalore have been acting as 'mediators' or pimps between minor prostitutes and their clients. This was revealed by the boys themselves during one of the counselling sessions with the volunteers. The boys revealed that the girl prostitutes they work for not only protect them from touts and rowdy boys, but also give food and sometimes, sexual favours in return.

Confirming this, Child Welfare Committee member PN Basavraj, who supervises rescue missions for run away children by various NGOs, said that he has come across cases of children in the age group of 10 to 12 years acting as pimps for prostitutes operating in the Majestic area. According to him, the prostitutes use the boys, as they don't need to be paid. While working with prostitutes, these boys are exposed to sex and also get involved in related crimes. "We are tracking such boysu00a0 to bring them for rehabilitation," he said.

According to former public prosecutor Chandramouli, minors found involved in such activities can be booked under the law. However, they'll be tried in Juvenile Court, under the Juvenile Justice Act, but will not be given a prison sentence. In stead, they will be sent into rehabilitation programmes or reform centres. "The law ensuresu00a0 they do not get a chance to mingle with criminals."

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Bosco Man volunteers counselling underage sex workers 10-year-old girl Bangalore