18-year-old Dalit athlete from Kerala sexually abused by 62 men over 5 years; minor boy among 15 arrested

Kerala News: A Dalit athlete from Kerala was sexually abused by at least 62 men over the past five years. The 18-year-old girl from Pathanamthitta district reportedly stated that her family was unaware she was being sexually abused. The Kerala Police has taken into custody a total of 15 people after the incidences of sexual harassment came to limelight. Among those who have been accused of sexually abusing the teen are her coaches, classmates, and fellow athletes. 

The district-level athlete, a girl of Dalit identity, had been sexually abused since she was 13, Indian Express reported. The incident of sexual abuse came to light when volunteers of the Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society met the girl during a random field visit.

Kerala girl's abusers were on her father's contact list

Advocate N Rajeev, who heads the Pathanamthitta Child Welfare Committee, told Indian Express that the girl’s family was unaware of the alleged sexual abuse over the years. “She hadn’t shared anything with the mother. Since the girl is a district-level athlete, she has attended various sports camps over the years. That situation might have facilitated this series of sexual abuse,” he added.

“She used the mobile phone of her father, an alcoholic. Most of the perpetrators were identified from the list of contacts in the mobile phone. Many numbers were found saved in it,” Rajeev said.

A News18 report stated that the 18-year-old Dalit athlete started facing abuse at the age of 13 when her neighbour forcibly tried to show her pornographic videos.

The girl was then abused by the accused at an isolated hill close to their house and later was also raped by his friends.

Coach, Classmates among Abusers of Kerala Dalit Athlete

Cases have been registered against 40 men under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. On Saturday nine people were taken into custody, after six were arrested on Friday. 

According to Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police VG Vinod Kumar, the cases have been registered in two police stations. “In one case we arrested five people, and a lone accused in another case."

Five men arrested by the Kerala Police on Friday were identified as Subin, S Sandeep, VK Vineeth, K Anandu, and Srini. 

Those arrested on Saturday are Shamnad, 20; Afzal, 21; his brother Ashik, 20; Nidhin Prasad, 21; Abhinav, 18; Karthik, 18; Sudhish, 27; and Appu, 31. The ninth individual is a 17-year-old boy.

NCW Seeks Detailed Report within 3 Days

The NCW took to microblogging site X to inform that they had taken cognisance of the incidents that involves a Dlalit teen athlete getting sexually abused by at least sixty two men over five years in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.

“While 5 accused have been arrested, the Commission strongly condemns this heinous crime and has directed authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of all accused, a fair and time-bound investigation, and necessary support for the victim, including medical and psychological care. A detailed action taken report has been sought within 3 days.”, the NCW said. 

(This report has been updated to reflect latest developments)