The crimes committed in Aluva are such as to question whether child abuse has become a deadly disease affecting our society. It has not been two months since a five-year-old girl was brutally abused and killed. The girl's lifeless body with severe injuries was found in the garbage pile behind the Aluva market. Just when we thought that this would never happen again and will be the last, another similar incident has happened in Aluva. A man kidnapped a girl who was sleeping at home and abused her. It was the timely intervention of the neighbour and other locals who heard the girl's cry that saved the child's life. The accused, who is a habitual criminal who was released from jail, was quickly arrested by the police with the help of the locals. This accused has also misbehaved with other girls in the past. The fact that he still had the opportunity to roam freely is what led to this brutal incident. Even if no complaint is received in cases of misbehaving with girls, police should still take measures to investigate. Especially in crowded residential areas where migrant workers who go to work during the day live.

215 children have been killed in Kerala in seven years. 1629 kids were kidnapped. 24,951 children were victims of sexual violence. According to the figures given by the police, on an average, at least 12 children are targets of sexual abuse every day. Despite the strong POCSO Act, which carries the death penalty, there is no abatement in violence against children. From this it must be inferred that it is not the absence of laws, but the lack of inspection and vigilance which causes such incidents to recur. Children are sexually assaulted in homes, schools, vehicles, religious institutions, hospitals, childcare centres and friends' houses. Most of the accused are neighbours, relatives, friends and teachers. Although the government has announced amendments to the law, including confiscation of the properties of the accused, it has not yet been implemented. The government and society should be ready to go to any lengths to ensure the safety of our little ones.