10-year-old orphan sexually assaulted at Bhuvanagiri's Balasadan

BHONGIR: A 10-year-old orphan girl was sexually assaulted at the Bhuvanagiri Balasadan, a shelter home meant to provide care for orphaned children. The incident, which occurred on October 14, came to light only recently.

On the evening of October 14, a programme was being held at the Balasadan with the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) and several others in attendance. During the event, the young girl went to the bathroom and was sexually assaulted by a man on her way back. The traumatised child returned to her room in tears.

The Balasadan staff noticed her distress and enquired, at which point the girl revealed the attack and showed them injuries on her body. The staff immediately informed the DCPO about the incident. However, according to reports, the DCPO did not file a police complaint against the assailant. Instead, he allegedly threatened the staff, warning that they would lose their jobs if they spoke about the incident.

It was also reported that the girl was later shifted to a private orphanage in Valigonda. On Sunday, DCPO Saidulu and a counsellor visited the Valigonda Shanti Nilayam orphanage, where the girl confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted.

Following the revelation, child rights activists urged the District Collector to take action against the accused, an attendant from the District Legal Services, and to hold the child protection officer accountable for attempting to cover up the incident. Further investigations are ongoing.