Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district recorded 15 cases of sexual abuse in government and private educational institutions and student hostels over the past two years, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar informed the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

Cases reported in 2024 and 2025

Replying to a question raised by Mangaluru City North MLA Bharath Shetty Y, the minister said that 12 cases were reported in 2024, while three cases were recorded in 2025. She clarified that no cases of physical abuse were reported in educational institutions or hostels in the district during this period.

Providing a taluk-wise breakup, Hebbalkar said that of the 12 cases reported in 2024, Bantwal accounted for seven cases, while Moodubidire reported five. In 2025, one case each was reported from Mangaluru, Mangaluru North and Puttur.

The minister’s reply brought renewed focus on child safety and protection mechanisms within educational spaces, particularly hostels and residential institutions, which are meant to provide a safe environment for children and adolescents.

Focus on institutional safety

The disclosure in the Assembly comes amid increasing public scrutiny of safety standards in schools, colleges and hostels. Lawmakers across parties have repeatedly stressed the need for stronger monitoring systems and quicker response mechanisms to ensure that incidents of abuse are detected early and addressed effectively.

Hebbalkar emphasised that the reported cases pertained specifically to sexual abuse and that no incidents of physical abuse had been recorded during the same period, indicating that reporting and classification of cases were being carried out as per established legal definitions.

Preventive and response mechanisms in place

The minister said the state government has implemented several preventive and response measures to protect children and adolescents from abuse. Key among them is the 24×7 Child Helpline 1098, which allows children, parents and members of the public to report cases of abuse or seek immediate assistance.

She said the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, is being strictly enforced across the state, along with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. These laws provide a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of children and the prosecution of offenders.

Awareness programmes and monitoring bodies

Hebbalkar also highlighted that awareness programmes are being conducted regularly in schools, colleges and hostels to educate students, teachers and staff about child rights, safe and unsafe touch, and the importance of reporting abuse.

As part of institutional safeguards, child protection committees have been formed in educational institutions, while Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards and District Child Protection Units are functioning across the state. These bodies are tasked with monitoring cases, providing counselling and rehabilitation support, and ensuring coordination between departments.

According to the minister, these structures are intended not only to respond to incidents after they occur but also to act as deterrents by promoting vigilance and accountability within institutions.

Measures to prevent child marriage

In her reply, Hebbalkar also spoke about steps taken to prevent child marriages, which often intersect with issues of child protection and abuse. She said the state has appointed child marriage prohibition officers at various levels and formed coordination committees at the state, district and taluk levels to monitor and prevent such cases.

Joint departmental circulars have been issued to create awareness among officials, educators and the general public about the legal consequences of child marriage and the importance of early reporting. These efforts, she said, aim to address social practices that place children, especially girls, at risk.

Policy initiatives and standard procedures

The minister added that the government has implemented policy measures and standard operating procedures related to minor pregnancies and child protection. These guidelines are designed to ensure a coordinated response involving the police, health department, education authorities and child welfare agencies.

She said the focus is on early identification of vulnerable children, timely medical and psychological support, and legal action against offenders, while also safeguarding the privacy and dignity of victims.

Need for continued vigilance

While presenting the data, officials indicated that the numbers reflect only reported cases and underscored the need for continued vigilance and awareness to ensure that incidents do not go unreported. Legislators stressed that institutional authorities must remain proactive in creating safe environments and responding promptly to complaints.

Conclusion

The disclosure of 15 sexual abuse cases over two years has once again highlighted the importance of robust child protection systems in educational institutions. While the government has outlined multiple preventive and response mechanisms, stakeholders agree that sustained awareness, strict enforcement of laws and active monitoring are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of children across Dakshina Kannada district.