In 2024, Meghalaya recorded 315 cases of crimes against children, including 51 instances of child abuse. The Women and Children Control Room, under the Social Welfare Department, also registered 11 cases of missing children. Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh expressed concern over the growing number of child abuse cases, particularly in the East Khasi Hills District, the most populated region in the state, which includes Shillong, a major transit hub with a large migrant and student population.
“I think one reason you have to realize is that you just, in terms of population, it (East Khasi Hills) is the biggest district, consisting also of the state capital, which has a large population. And also, it has a lot of migrant population, as well as students who have come from various parts of the country studying here. That adds to the total number of people involved. And also, Shillong, being a transit point, a lot of people stay over before they move on to say, Silchar or Mizoram. So that adds to the complicity of the cases,” Lyngdoh explained.
The minister also highlighted the complex social issues contributing to child abuse, particularly in rural areas, where overcrowding in homes and a lack of supervision often lead to incidents of abuse.
“So now we have found out that through the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mission—because in Meghalaya, you have to understand—we just found out in recent studies, as part of data in rural areas, in one room or two rooms, we have about nine inhabitants. That would include the father, then the absent father, the mother who gives birth to seven or eight kids. So abuse happens when an uncle or a neighbour takes care when the mother goes out for a daily wage,” The Minister said.
“It’s happening. So, these reports of abuse come from socio-economically weaker sections of society. To address this, we now have some of those young girls who are consultants working on nutrition, sensitization, and the importance of 1,000 days for the baby to be attended to. But the mother does not know she is pregnant with another child,” he added.
According to the minister, many child abuse cases involve children left in the care of relatives or neighbours while their parents work. He stressed the need for greater community awareness and intervention to prevent such incidents.
The Social Welfare Department has been proactive in reaching out to vulnerable groups through various initiatives, such as the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), which currently supports over 5 lakh beneficiaries, including children, adolescent girls, and lactating mothers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Additionally, the department has conducted awareness programs, particularly through the “Women Hub,” which recently celebrated International Day of the Girl Child across all districts.
Lyngdoh noted that the department is receiving more reports due to increased awareness and outreach efforts. The child helpline (1098) and women helpline (181) operate 24/7, offering immediate counselling and rapid response interventions. Mobile units, comprising police and counsellors, are dispatched to assist victims and bring them to one-stop centers for support.
The minister urged the public to report incidents of abuse and domestic violence, stressing that while Meghalaya remains one of the safest places for women and children, societal attitudes often lead to issues being ignored. He encouraged more proactive engagement from women’s organizations and community groups.
With stronger coordination between local authorities and the Social Welfare Department, the state aims to continue improving its response to crimes against women and children, ensuring better protection and support for victims.