50,000 divorce cases per year; children affected more than parents, new report

KOZHIKODE: Children experience severe psychological distress when their parents are in a divorce case. The biggest tragedy is that children are brought along during the trial. This continues in more than 50 percent of the cases.

The study is by the State Child Rights Commission. The study was conducted by collecting information from the courts and children and analysing the complaints received by the commission.

Parents often move before the case. Due to the subsequent financial problems, they cannot even afford fees, uniforms, books, etc. Parents fighting over the custody of their children causes serious mental problems in them. After separation, 57 percent of parents do not go to see their children.

Those who come to the courts with young children often do not even get clean water in the courts. There is no facility to rest, eat, or breastfeed. Many courts are in rented buildings. The Ottapalam Family Court is in an old rented house. The counselling room is also in the kitchen. Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Paravur, and Chavara courts are the only child-friendly ones.

Children who have to wait in the courthouse for hours spend more time playing on their mobile phones. This can lead to mobile addiction.

When accused:

• Children feel sad and lonely
• Disobedience and fear increase
• There is no one to talk about their problems
• They might end up with people who are unsatisfactory for them

Key recommendations

1. Make the court premises child-friendly

2. Arrange sittings during school holidays

3. Appoint expert counselors

4. Implement a special rehabilitation program

35 - Family courts

50,000 - Cases annually