Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
While conversations around child sexual safety have traditionally focused on girls, a disturbing reality is emerging from Uttarakhand’s Terai belt, minor boys, too, are increasingly falling victim to sexual abuse.
In Udham Singh Nagar district, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) receives more than six such cases every year. The cases range from sexual assault to the circulation of obscene material involving children.
The pattern is not new. In 2019, a seven-year-old boy was allegedly raped in Sitarganj. In 2025, Kashipur witnessed another shocking case in which a minor boy was allegedly sexually assaulted and a video of the incident circulated online.
According to CWC members, several cases involving boys aged 12 to 14 have recently surfaced in slum settlements in Rudrapur, Kashipur and Pantnagar. Since April, four such cases have reached the committee. In one recent case, a child was allegedly taken into a room and sexually assaulted.
“Four cases of sexual abuse involving boys have come before us since April. Parents must pay close attention to any change in their children’s behaviour and should not hesitate to report such incidents,” said CWC member Chandrakala Rai.
The biggest hurdle, however, remains silence. Social stigma and fear of embarrassment often prevent families from approaching police, delaying both investigation and support for victims.
Experts and child welfare officials urge parents to watch for sudden behavioural changes, fear, anger, withdrawal or reluctance to meet certain people.
“Child safety cannot be limited to girls. Boys, too, must be taught about good touch and bad touch, personal boundaries and the importance of speaking to a trusted adult,” officials said.
NCRB data underscores the wider concern: India recorded 69,191 POCSO cases in 2024, including 44,126 cases under the stringent sexual assault provisions.
