"Girls Only Safe In Mother's Womb, Grave": Chennai Student's Suicide Note Send Shockwaves

‘Girls are safe only in their mother's womb and grave'. These were the last words 17-year-old Geetha (name changed) wrote down on a piece of paper. Physically assaulted and sexually abused, she chose to take her life leaving behind a suicide note pleading for justice. Shattered beyond belief, Geetha's family is determined to bring the guilty to the book. A student of Class 11, Geetha did not name anyone specific in her suicide note. Police say her letter suggests abuse by three people - a teacher's son, a relative, and an old student of the school she was in. Speaking to the media, Geetha's sister said,

In the letter, she has mentioned a teacher's son, he is unfit to be a teacher. Usually, she wouldn't speak to anyone. She was a class topper. 

Also Read: Minor Siblings Sexually Abused By Neighbour In Maharashtra's Jalgaon

Chennai Police have arrested her former schoolmate under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Geetha had allegedly met him on Instagram, a social networking service. Police claim they were in a relationship for eight months but things went awry when he started assaulting her sexually. The harassment only compounded pushing her to a point of no return. The hunt is now on for other suspects.

In another part of Chennai, this 21-year-old college student had to pay with his life for allegedly blackmailing two school girls he had befriended on Instagram. The accused started extorting money on the pretext of leaking their private pictures. The girls confided in another young man they met on social media and he, in turn, kidnapped and murdered the college student.

Also Read: Raped By A Relative, Young Girl Gets Compensation After Eight Harrowing Years

Activists and cyber security experts are visibly worried about new forms of sexual violence via social media. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made matters worse with children switching to online modes of learning.

Rakshit Tandon, Cyber Security Expert said,

Children have been negatively groomed online to create self-generated content which is going to equate to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Like, sending selfies or nude selfies. This was one of the very scary things happening with our children especially on these social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram which they commonly use while they are playing games.

Also Read: CBI Conducts Raids At 77 Locations In Connection With An Online Child Sexual Abuse Racket

In the last three months, at least three other students in Tamil Nadu alone have taken their lives following sexual harassment. In some cases, the alleged perpetrators were teachers too. Chief Minister M K Stalin has spoken out publicly assuring justice. He said,

We should live and fight so you would secure punishment for those who violated you. As a father, brother and a family member I appeal to you. Don't kill yourself. We are here, the government and I.

With the cases of child sexual abuse and rape coming to light from across the country, Geetha's poignant note is yet another grim reminder of how vulnerable our children are to sexual abuse and exploitation.

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

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