Derek O’ Brien recalls trauma during POCSO debate in Parliament

New Delhi | TMC MP Derek O’ Brien on Thursday shared his own personal sexual abuse story in the Parliament while backing the new amendments in the POCSO Act.

Rajya Sabha today approved the amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO Amendment) Bill to include the death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on children.

The Bill also aims to curb child pornography, will now be presented in the Lok Sabha.

Also Read: Lok Sabha passes Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act Bill

Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’ Brien in the Upper House today shared a story that he was also sexually abused as a teenage boy.

He said that the abuse usually starts at home.

“People, especially in public life, need to talk about this and start the conversation. The more people in public life that speak about the abuse the easier it will be for children to speak up,” he said in the Rajya Sabha.

“That’s what I want to speak about sir, with a lot of pride, and sadness and hurt, I would like to share — my family knows and I feel India needs to know — I was sexually molested as a 13-year-old on a bus in Kolkata after tennis practice wearing short pants and t-shirt, I got on to a crowded bus, I was sexually molested. A man ejaculated on the shorts of this boy. I didn’t speak about it. We need to use this forum to reach out to people. The more we talk about it the more children will be saved,” the parliamentarian said.

It was not about the punishment, but about the prevention, he remarked, and talking about it would help.

Smriti Irani commends Derek O’ Brien

Union Minister Smriti Irani lauded Mr O Brien’s courage to speak out. She said that it is usually difficult for men to come out publicly and share their stories.

“The fact that an MP today shared what he faced at age 13… 46 years later, tells us what an imprint sexual abuse leaves on a child,” Smriti Irani said.