A deeply disturbing case of sexual abuse has emerged from Kerala, India, where an 18-year-old woman has come forward with shocking allegations of being sexually exploited by nearly 60 men over a span of five years.
The victim, who was just 13 years old when the abuse began, recounted her traumatic experience to a counselor during a college visit, sparking a police investigation into the horrific ordeal.
The abuse reportedly began in 2020, when one of her neighbors allegedly filmed the abuse.
Authorities are now probing whether these videos were used to blackmail and manipulate the girl, forcing her into repeated sexual exploitation by other men and boys.
Police have arrested 58 individuals, ranging from minors to men in their mid-40s, for their involvement in the crimes. Two additional suspects are believed to have fled the country.
The accused men include schoolmates, relatives, and neighbors—people the victim had known from different parts of her life.
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The shocking breadth of the abuse, which spanned five years, highlights the terrifyingly widespread issue of sexual violence in India, often fueled by deeply entrenched patriarchy and sexism.
Despite laws being strengthened over the years to punish sexual offenders more harshly, such cases remain all too common, particularly in rural areas.
This incident has further exposed the deep-seated social issues that continue to allow such atrocities to happen, despite efforts for change.
The 18-year-old victim, whose identity is protected under Indian law, is currently receiving support and counseling.
As investigations continue, authorities are under immense pressure to bring justice to the young woman, while protests calling for stronger protection of women’s rights and harsher penalties for perpetrators grow louder across the nation.
