Panaji: Renowned woman activist and chief of Bailancho Ekvott Auda Viegas has said that the girl who had alleged rape by Congress leader Babush Monserratte and is currently missing “is in danger.”
Viegas has written a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in which she has expressed that the victim is in danger.
“I appreciate your immediate directions to the Goa police after the case of the ‘missing girl’ was reported from a rehabilitation Centre in South Goa, was brought to your notice,” she said.
“Vulnerable young girls, victims of abuse need a safe environment to prevent approach by the perpetrator to get the victim to turn hostile in Court which will be in favor of the perpetrator. The victim girl in this case is in danger as it is a high profile case involving an alleged politician. To prevent this from happening the State is duty bound to protect the victim as you have rightfully expressed. I have also observed that the police are doing their best to trace the girl,” she added.
The memorandum further says:
Goa does not have a After Care Home for victims of abuse sexual / exploitative / physical and I trust you will soon set up one, with counseling and other skill development facilities to heal the wounds of abuse inflicting on the minds of minor children and prepare them to step back into society.
In my experienced opinion the victim is totally shattered after a sexual abuse and in the case of this missing girl who has been showing signs of depression, it is the duty of the State to prevent her from falling prey to abduction, kidnap or being lured into risky behavior. Kindly conduct a thorough probe into the matter of her disappearance and also do set up this service for After Care, to prepare to the victims to face life after they complete 18 yrs. / upto the time they depose in the Court. She being the main witness in her case she has to be kept in a safe environment.
The Government has to take the safety and protection of women and Children of the State as a serious commitment and responsibility, which knowing you as a person, I am sure you will take very seriously.
