While this is an isolated incident, we have come across too many horrifying stories that take place within the walls of shelter homes, where kids are subjected to gross neglect and left to live in abysmal conditions.

While the traumatised girl revealed her ordeal, no doubt there are countless other children who are too afraid to come forward with their own stories of abuse.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.79%

AAP 42.62%

INC 24.59%

Submit

View All In Poll

It is imperative that shelter homes install CCTV cameras within the premises. Authorities that govern these institutions must make it mandatory for all such establishments to ensure 24x7 CCTV coverage.

The staff must be employed after conducting thorough checks into their overall backgrounds - their mental stability as well as emotional strength. These organisations should ensure the employees are trained to handle children. Do the matrons and care staff demonstrate empathy to children? Are they abreast of the latest methods of care giving and education? These are questions to which we need answers.

One shudders to think about this particular matron's behaviour as matrons are expected to be mother figures. While shelter homes already deal with huge challenges - paucity of space, infrastructure issues and financial crunch - the human factor must be treated as a priority.