'I Ask My Children To Share Live Location': Andhra Home Minister Shares Safety Concerns

Reflecting on how times have changed, Anitha noted that during her student years, girls felt safe even returning home at 8 p.m. after tuition.

Anitha emphasised the emotional and societal toll these crimes take—not just on the victims but also on the families of the accused.

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Expressing deep concern over the prevailing safety conditions in society, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha revealed that she regularly asks her children to share their live location whenever they step out, even at 6 p.m. Her candid remarks came during a recent programme focused on women's safety.

"I am a Home Minister, but whenever my children go out, I ask them to send their live location because the situation in the society has become so bad," Anitha said, as per IANS report.

Andhra Home Minister Shares Concerns 

Reflecting on how times have changed, Anitha noted that during her student years, girls felt safe even returning home at 8 p.m. after tuition. She said that the level of safety they once took for granted no longer exists.

During her address, the Home Minister also highlighted concerning findings from a recent analysis of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases by the Vijayawada Police Commissioner. The data revealed that 20% of the accused in such cases were minors, while nearly 60% were aged between 19 and 23.

Sharing a disturbing case involving a 17-year-old accused of harassing a 14-year-old girl, Anitha emphasised the emotional and societal toll these crimes take—not just on the victims but also on the families of the accused.

"The convicts for sexual harassment cases may get a jail sentence of 20 to 25 years. A 17-year-old has to be in jail till he is middle-aged. What happens to parents who have a lot of hopes for their son? What happens to his sister, who has to live in society?" she said, as per the report.

Anitha reiterated the importance of education and awareness, revealing that special courts are functioning in every district to fast-track POCSO cases. Furthermore, she said initiatives were underway to introduce self-discipline as a subject in educational institutions, alongside ongoing awareness campaigns about the POCSO Act.