13-year-old Repeatedly Raped By Father, Cousin, Threatened With Dire Consequences

Like any other 13-year-old Aashi's (name changed) life revolved around school, family and friends till one day her world turned into a virtual nightmare. Little Aashi was raped by her own father four times within December 2020 to January 2021 at the rented accommodation they used to stay in Dayalpur area of North-East Delhi. The horror unfolded again when she visited her aunt's place in Sikanderabad in Uttar Pradesh. There she was raped again by her 15-year-old cousin who threatened her to keep mum or be prepared for dire consequences.

Also Read: 16-year-old From Bihar, Raped While Out To Fetch Water, Awaits Justice

Once the family returned from Uttar Pradesh, Aashi's mother noticed some changes in her daughter and immediately took her to a hospital for check-up. Tests revealed that she was about 3-4 months pregnant. On Child Welfare Committee (CWC)'s orders and in consultation with her family, Aashi's pregnancy was terminated in April this year. Trembling with fear, Aashi broke down and confided in her mother and revealed how she had been abused and raped by her father and cousin.

My husband threatened her. He said, I will leave your mother if you speak up. He was a drug addict and used to beat me up and my children. That is why she (Aashi) didn't tell me anything, said Aashi's mother.

Also Read: 6-year-old Sexually Abused, Brutally Injured In Madhya Pradesh's Damoh

Her mother immediately filed a police complaint and the father was remanded to judicial custody. Aashi's cousin too was apprehended but later released on bail as he was a minor. The charge sheet has been filed in the case.

The trauma was too much to bear for the child as repeated abuse severely affected the child's mental health and she suffered from bouts of fear and anxiety. The child is currently getting counselling sessions.

Also Read: Minor Girls Paraded Naked To Please 'Rain Gods' In Rain-Parched Damoh

Standing by the traumatised child and the family in these trying times, Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation's sister organisation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan is providing necessary legal support in the case to ensure justice for Aashi and is also acting as a support person.

Talking to NDTV about the support being provided to the family, Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan said,

The most important thing was to bring the girl out of the trauma which she was suffering. And also, to provide legal support and filing an application for the victim compensation, as well as, a special package of Rs. 10,000 which has been approved by CWC for the families to come out of the financial problem.

As Aashi struggles hard to move ahead in life, her ordeal acts as a grim reminder of the fact that in nearly 90 per cent of child sexual abuse cases, perpetrators are known to the children.

Also Read: Sexual Harassment Reports Prompt Tamil Nadu Government To Issue Guidelines For All Schools On Students' Safety

Justice For Every Child campaign will work to ensure legal and mental support to child victims of sexual abuse and rape and their families, Donate Now