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Goa Paedophilia Workshop

Goa Paedophilia Workshop:
'Is Goa Safe For The Children'- A Critical Consultation

The Goa Paedophilia workshop was held on the 28th of July, 2006. This workshop was attended by 48 representatives from various Non Government & Government organisations.

CHILDLINE India Foundation conducted a study on the issue related to child sexual abuse/paedophilia and sex related tourism. The objective of the study was to study the perception of allied systems about the issue of paedophilia, challenges faced by GOs and NGOs while intervening in the cases of paedophilia and how the issue can be addressed. This study was based on in-depth interviews conducted with representatives from the different allied systems of Goa. During the course of the study 20 stakeholders were interviewed, which included Government and NGOs representatives. It was felt that it was important to disseminate the findings of the study with various stakeholders.

The major objective of the consultation was to disseminate the findings of the study, to elicit support from stakeholders at different levels of interventions; to draft recommendation for action; present a strategy paper to Goa State Administration.

The Panellists included:

• Ms. Anita Haladi, Member State Commission for Women and Children
• Mr. Newman Fernandez, Principal, St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, Goa.
• Ms. Nishta Desai, Consultant, Child Rights in Goa, Goa.
• Ms. Shobha Tumaskar, Director of Prosecution, Goa.
• Ms. Chitrakala Acharya, Head: Services, CIF, Mumbai.

Highlights of the discussion: (Move The Mouse over the buttons)

The presentations made evoked mixed responses from the audience. There was a general resistance to acknowledge that the incidence of child sexual abUS Dollar/ paedophilia in Goa. Yet another view was that though the incidence of the problem may not seem so grave, we need to acknowledge the existence of the problem and work in a concerted manner towards preventing the rise in the incidence of the problem in future. It is a cause of concern. We need to know the forms of this problems, how the civil society can proactively act with the government. It was also shared that Goa was being projected NGOs and individuals from outside Goa are portraying wrong image of Goa as an unsafe place for children, the issue being made seem to be larger than what it really is. It was demanded of the organisers to disclose details of the study, like the source of the findings, details of the respondents However in keeping with the standard practices and norms adhered to in such studies, it was shared that the study only reflects range of perception of allied systems and perceptions may not be grounded, and their recommendations on how the issue could be addressed. It was emphasised that in keeping with the principles of the methodology of the study, this information is strictly confidential and could not be shared.

Recommendations: (Move The Mouse Pointer over the numbers)

Need for involvement of young children in understanding the forms of this problems. Awareness the young people. All academic institutions should have a Cell, which would work with the students on problems identification, counselling etc. Training young people on the issue so that they are prepared as studies show that youth not familiar with sex. CIF could play in developing a measurable benchmark towards addressing the issue, as it is a national network being facilitated by CIF, and supported by the Union Government.

Link:

Goa Workshop Reports

Child sexual abuse and sexual commercial exploitation