Picture used for representational purpose only

CHENNAI: The Australian federal government recently said ‘orphanage tourism’ was modern slavery and a scam, making it clear that they will cut off support to overseas orphanages from Australian schools and universities after concerns of exploitation and abuse surfaced.

The move was lauded by Tamil Nadu child rights activists, who for long have been crying foul over the surreptitious association of foreign tourists with some orphanages here. They have demanded that authorities impose a total ban on foreigners and volunteers visiting these facilities because the present rules to monitor and check interaction of foreigners with children in homes are ignored. The few cases of abuse that are reported are a fraction of the problem, say activists, as without stringent laws and its proper execution it is difficult to pin down the violators.

For foreigners to visit orphanages, now called childcare institutions, they must get a volunteer visa and a volunteer certificate from their country. But, senior officials at the social defence department too said they rarely receive such applications from foreign volunteers. Apart from this it is mandatory for the children’s home to submit an application with the directorate of social defence and district child protection unit, who conduct a background check of the volunteer. "These procedures are hardly followed. Many times management of the home hides such dealings," said G Renuka, child rights activist and former member of the Kancheepuram Child Welfare Committee.

Collector of Thiruvannamalai K S Kandasamy said, "We have noticed that a majority of orphanages are run as businesses, sustained by well-intentioned foreigners who donate and spend time with children at the campus. This also makes the children more vulnerable," he said. Kandasamy recalled a recent incident where a girl was allegedly taken to a foreign donor’s place late in the night. "We got a tip but by the time we reached, the child was brought back and refused to answer," he said.

Last year, the CWC had fined an NGO for allowing a group of foreign volunteers to stay at an orphanage in Kancheepuram. "Those who visit from within the country must also fall under this ambit. The danger is from all ends," said Andal Damodaran president of the Indian Council for Child Welfare (Tamil Nadu). Experts say there is no check now to prevent sex offenders who choose professions which give them access and proximity to children through institutions.

According to a recent report by the ministry of women and child development, TN has 1,647 registered childcare institutions housing more than 87,000 children. It also showed that children living in at least 600 of these homes were mistreated. "We must focus on providing alternative care such as sponsorship, fostercare and adoption. Institutionalization must be the last resort," said Sugata Roy, Unicef communication specialist.

Kumar Shailabh, co-director of HAQ: Centre for Child Rights pointed to the 2007 incident of child sexual abuse in orphanages in Mamallapuram, where children were made to solicit foreigners for donations. "We have seen hoardings of orphanages inviting people to spend time with the kids and donate money. There is a greater risk of diluting the identity of the children, and confidentiality goes for a toss," he said.

