Thiruvananthapuram:
Famous as a tourists' paradise, Kovalam beach town has been hit by rampant incidents of sexual and physical abuse of children in the 12-18 age group, according to a study.
Nearly half of the 705 children interviewed during the study in Kovalam and five nearby coastal hamlets had undergone some sort of abuse, mostly by tourists, relatives and their teachers, the study conducted by a women NGO Mahila Samakhya Society claims.
Most of them were school dropouts and from downtrodden sections, including children of fisherfolk. Complaints were also received from inmates in orphanages and child homes run
by charities, project director Seema Bhaskar says.
"The most shocking aspect of the study was that many were victims of continuous sexual abuse, right from the age of nine," Bhaskar said.
Fourteen children revealed they were abused by tuition teachers and others by their elder siblings. 39 were sexually abused by foreign tourists after offers of cash and gifts. In some cases, they were given mobile phones, fashionable clothes and cosmetics.
Of 705 children, 6.36 per cent were physically abused in their homes. This included severe beatings and other such forms of torture, the study claims.
The Mahila Samakhya Society, with support of the state Social Welfare Department, conducted the study in Kottukal, Kanjiramkulam, Vizhinjam, Karinkulam and Venganoor panchayats, besides Kovalam.
"We suspect there is a racket in the area in arranging children for customers who want sex, with the support of many youth who unfortunately act as middlemen," she says.
A consolidated report would be presented to both the Central and state governments next month after analysis and compilation of the data.
On the methodology of the study, Seema said children were given a questionnaire during a workshop held in these areas with the help of local Anganvadis.