Army Public School's alumni body offers to sponsor rape victims

Efforts to engage society in the rehabilitation of victims of sexual assault by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) have finally paid off. Neelam Pandey reports.

Efforts to engage society in the rehabilitation of victims of sexual assault by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) have finally paid off.

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Nearly a month after the committee announced a scheme in which individuals or organisations can help rehabilitate victims of such crimes, the welfare committee of the Alumni Association, Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, have offered their services.

Members of the committee met Delhi government's Child Welfare Committee (east) and expressed their desire to sponsor such victims either by paying for their education, accommodation or health expenses.

"Few of the members of our association met CWC (east) authorities. The final decision in this regard will be taken in July at a meeting of all the members," said an association member, who was present in the meeting but wished to remain anonymous.

So far people used to sponsor orphans or under-privileged students but rarely did one sponsor a rape victim.

"The Army Public School's Alumni Association has shown a keen interest in sponsoring rape victims. It is good that people are coming forward to help victims of sexual assault. While sponsorship programmes are common for orphans, it is probably the first time that an initiative like this is being taken," said Ajay K Singh, chairman, CWC (east).

"Even traders' associations have come forward to help. Some individuals have offered books, pencils and pens. Every bit of help counts," Singh added.

The CWC will prepare a database of sponsors. They can help with the education, medical treatment or the entire rehabilitation of the victim.

Individuals or organisations who want to offer help will have to get themselves enrolled with the CWC, which will contact them whenever a sexual assault case will be reported.