9-year-old reveals rape by neighbour after workshop in school

A nine-year-old Patiala girl revealed being raped by her 32-year-old neighbour after a workshop in her school about good touch and bad touch, organised by an NGO on Wednesday. The victim confided in her class teacher.

The school students were shown a precautionary graphic video to make them aware of sexual assault and the steps to be taken at such times.

“After the workshop, the girl told her class teacher that she was raped by her neighbour twice during summer vacation, once in May and again in July. Following this, the teacher informed the school authorities that further informed the police. The accused was immediately arrested. During interrogation, he confessed to his crime,” said Jyoti, who runs Naujawan Sangathan Sewa Samiti.

Jyoti said that she has been organising counselling programmes at schools to aware minors about the sexual act since last eight years.

Police said that a case under Sections of 376 (rape) and other relevant sections of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered and the accused will be produced in the court on Thursday.

“The accused, 32, is a roadside vendor in the city and sells paranthas. He has two minor children, including a girl. We are investigating if the accused had also molested his minor daughter. The child panel will hold the counselling of the rape survivor as well as the children of the accused,” said the investigating officer in the case.