A 14-year-old COVID-infected teenager was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old COVID infected youth and his friend during their quarantined stay in Sardar Patel COVID care centre and hospital in Chhatarpur, regarded as the biggest facility centre in the country.
Reportedly, the gruesome act took place on the late-night of 15th July, the youth began talking to the girl casually near the washroom, and his other friend stood as a guard to follow in case of anybody drops in.
The nerve-racking act accompanied by trauma had numbed the minor girl; she quietly went to sleep. However, when she discussed the incident with some friends who promptly informed the police and matter was revealed.
Both the survivor and the accused have been shifted to other hospitals, and the youth has been charged under the sections of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO) and is put under judicial custody, as reported.
It has been termed as a first known case in the facility centre amid the unprecedented times in the national capital. The questions obstinately persist: Why even an innocent girl, who has scarcely realised the meaning of rape, is objectified and traumatized by the cruel men who merely intend to satiate their carnal appetite?
The COVID facility centres facilitate the infected people have been unable to isolate themselves at home. Does their stay in common rooms indicate men assert all the rights to exploit a girl and allowing them no agency?
Also, the key facilitators at the hospital need to be more vigilant of the area; they should perform a strict check on patients and preserve a stimulating environment.
By Yogita Malhotra
Image Source: Google
