A senior Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka has been stripped of his position following child abuse allegations. Pallegama Hemarathana was arrested and later bailed after being accused of abusing a 15-year-old girl. The Malwatta chapter of monks suspended him pending judicial proceedings.
A non-profit organisation reports a rise in child abuse and gender-based violence cases across Pakistan in 2025, with Punjab province accounting for the majority of reported incidents.
A prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk has been remanded in custody following allegations of sexually abusing a minor girl within a temple complex. The monk, a chief priest of a prominent temple, will remain in remand until May 22.
India's IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to summon Meta regarding Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material, following a BBC investigation. This action comes shortly after the government also questioned Meta about WhatsApp's planned username feature, citing concerns over increased online fraud and cybercrimes.
Meta on Tuesday published a detailed blog outlining its efforts to combat child sexual abuse material across its apps, citing AI-powered detection, ad review systems and large-scale enforcement actions, days after the government issued a notice to the social media giant over reports of Instagram advertisements promoting such content.
Jharkhand CID arrested two individuals from Giridh district for circulating and selling online child sexual exploitative and abuse material to citizens of multiple foreign countries.
The government has issued a stern notice to Meta on Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) in paid advertisements on Instagram, sources said on Sunday.
According to the latest NCRB data, close acquaintances are the primary offenders in 96.6 per cent of child sexual abuse cases in India. The report highlights the involvement of family members, friends, and online contacts in these offences, with Tamil Nadu reporting the highest number of cases.
Experts urge internet platforms to adopt prevention-by-design and stronger AI systems to curb child sexual exploitation material and improve online child safety.
India's IT Secretary S Krishnan announced an upcoming meeting with Meta's global team to address critical issues including lapses in tackling Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), the temporary restriction of PM Modi's Facebook post, and concerns over synthetically generated information. The government expects Meta, as a leading tech company, to have robust systems to manage these challenges effectively.
The US on Monday announced that it had revoked more than 1.75 lakh visas during President Donald Trump's tenure for a range of crimes from reckless driving to sexual assault.
Sharmila Dhankar, a polio-afflicted survivor of domestic abuse, clinched a gold medal in the women's F57 seated shot put at the Commonwealth Games, marking a triumph of resilience and athletic prowess.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has stated the state government's "zero tolerance" policy regarding the alleged abuse of toddlers at a Bengaluru daycare centre. An explanation has been sought from the company, and action will be taken based on the inquiry report. Five nannies have been arrested, and police are investigating the alleged physical and mental abuse.
Capgemini has temporarily closed its Bengaluru on-campus daycare facility following reports and viral videos of alleged toddler abuse by caregivers. The IT firm is reassessing all its daycare providers across India and providing support to affected families. This action comes after Bengaluru police arrested two nannies in connection with the alleged abuse, which included threatening and mistreating children. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge condemned the incident, highlighting its negative impact on 'Brand Bengaluru' and questioning the company's due diligence.
A one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Kerala died after allegedly enduring weeks of brutal physical abuse, with a post-mortem examination revealing 51 injuries. The child's mother and her partner have been arrested in connection with the case.
Two nannies at a daycare centre on an IT firm's campus in Bengaluru have been arrested for allegedly abusing toddlers. The arrests followed viral videos showing caregivers threatening and mistreating children, prompting a strong response from Karnataka's Home Minister and the IT firm, Capgemini.
A woman and her live-in partner have been arrested in Thiruvananthapuram in connection with the death of her one-and-a-half-year-old son, with allegations of abuse surfacing against the male accused.
The Indian IT Ministry has engaged in 'hard talk' with Meta regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM), leading to increased sensitivity and action from the tech giant. The government asserts that Indian laws must be followed and social media harms mitigated, with no safe harbour for violations. Discussions also covered AI labelling and the WhatsApp username issue, highlighting a global concern over social media harms.
Maharashtra Cyber has arrested a Telegram-based seller, Adiraj Rajendra Bait, for allegedly dealing in Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The arrest followed an extensive investigation involving digital ecosystem monitoring, technical verification, and forensic analysis of the accused's mobile phone.
A viral video showing a toddler being assaulted at a Navi Mumbai anganwadi initially sparked outrage against staff, but a police probe revealed the child's own mother was the perpetrator. The mother lost her temper due to the child's restlessness. Authorities counselled the parents and a minister addressed the spread of misinformation.
Arunachal Pradesh Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul launched a child rights awareness initiative to promote a safe, child-friendly environment across the state. The initiative includes pamphlets educating children, parents, and teachers on key child protection laws.
Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has issued an apology for the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post, while company executives acknowledged significant content moderation failures, including issues with child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, and the paid boosting of certain content.
Kerala Minister Bindu Krishna has ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations against Ashkar, arrested in connection with the death of a toddler, following claims of abuse by his first wife's family. The investigation was launched after a post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries on the child's body, indicating severe physical abuse.
A 16-year-old boy has been detained in Beed, Maharashtra, for allegedly sexually abusing a six-year-old girl. The incident occurred when the boy lured the girl into his house with the offer of fruit, after which he allegedly sexually abused her. He has been booked under the POCSO Act.
A preacher at a madrasa in Tumakuru district, Karnataka, has been booked after 24 children allegedly escaped the institution citing physical abuse and forced labour. The children were found at a railway station in Bengaluru and are now under the care of the Child Welfare Committee.
The Indian government is questioning whether Meta's recommendation systems and paid content promotion align with its status as an intermediary under the IT Act, raising concerns about the company's liability for content it actively decides to show users.
Understanding that sexual abuse can be prevented and healing from abuse is possible helps parents respond with calm and confidence rather than react in fear or panic, says Psychologist Namrata Joshi.
An 11-year-old rape survivor in Yamunanagar, Haryana, has given birth to a baby girl at the District Civil Hospital. Both the mother and baby are in stable condition. The minor's pregnancy was discovered in May, leading to the arrest of the accused under the POCSO Act. The family has consented to hand over the newborn to the Child Welfare Committee.
The government is questioning the visiting Meta team on whether the company is adhering to the law of the land, following summons to the social media giant over temporary restriction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post recently, sources said on Thursday.
With a view to educating parents and spread awareness regarding child abuse, child specialists across the country are formulating a methodology to make it mandatory to report all such cases through a multi-agent network of doctors and social workers.
Former gymnast Nicole Pavier said British athletes were subjected to "child abuse" and that the findings of an independent review showed physical and mental mistreatment at clubs was more widespread than first thought.
Meta's global team met with top Indian IT Ministry officials following government summons regarding the temporary restriction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post and ongoing concerns about child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its platforms.
Police in Indore have registered a case against 13 people, including the groom, after a 13-year-old girl was allegedly married off despite warnings from the local administration. The marriage occurred after an exchange agreement between families.
Do not push your children into situations that leave them feeling trapped or desperate, appeals rediffGURU Anu Krishna.
A Christian worship centre in Omallur, Kerala, faced protests from BJP workers following allegations that staff members assaulted a 17-year-old boy. Police have arrested three individuals, including the manager, after a Child Welfare Committee inquiry indicated potential exploitation of children housed at the facility.
A 30-year-old pregnant woman in Gujarat's Banaskantha district has accused four men, including three brothers and their uncle, of repeatedly raping her and forcing her to convert to their religion. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, but no arrests have been made yet. The woman alleges a history of abuse, blackmail, and threats against her and her daughters.
Government departments requested social media platforms to remove 2.44 lakh pieces of content between March and July, with states initiating 82% of these requests. The IT Intermediaries Rules 2021 were amended to reduce takedown time to three hours. The PIB Fact Check unit clarified its role in content moderation, refuting claims of automated blocking by Meta and emphasising the need to address lawlessness in cyberspace.
Suresh Raina said that it is disturbing to learn about the exponential number of domestic violence cases during this period.
The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is recommending that the state government mandate the inclusion of the bride and groom's date of birth on wedding invitations to combat child marriages.
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