The issue of pedophilia will end in Nepal
Khakendra Thakulla is a Child Protection Officer at Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Nepal. Passionate and filled with enthusiasm, a multifaceted Kakendra works on field research, rapport building, programme interventions as well as training and capacity building.
“I have always believed in the need to work for a social cause.”, he says.
Khakendra began his journey with TdH-NL in 2014. His ability to befriend children has helped him address issues at the root. He believes in creating an environment where children can exercise their rights, and are free from abuse and exploitation.
At present, Khakendra works on TdH-NL’s Working Actively Together for Children (WATCH) project which focuses on addressing Commercial Sexual Exploitation in the Travel and Tourism sector.
“Nepal has been a destination for travelling child sex offenders/pedophiles for long. In this context, the project adopts a multi-pronged strategy working towards research on child sexual abuse/exploitation; access to justice for victims/survivors; provision of assistance to children and their families in reporting sexual exploitation cases; legal aid and protection; coordination with police and public prosecution officers.”, he says while talking about the project.
Khakendra believes that the project’s success has been its focus on ensuring child rights and child safety. Provision of direct and indirect support to survivors and potential child survivors such as counselling, medical support, legal aid and income generation activities for parents, have also contributed to the success of the project.
“If not for the project, child sexual exploitation in the travel and tourism sector (CSECTT) of Nepal would probably have remained invisible to date.”, says Khakendra. “A total of 78 child sexual abuse perpetrators (36 internationals and 42 nationals) have been arrested during the project period, while over 110 survivors have been rescued and given direct and indirect support. Many of the survivors continue to stay in contact with me.”
The challenges Khakendra and his team face include the changing modes of sexual offence which makes it difficult to track. Child survivors do not have a child friendly environment in courts and police stations, making it difficult for them to open up. Project members are also under threat.
However, these challenges are tiny in front of Khakendra’s unshakeable faith.
“When this project is over, the issue of pedophilia will end in Nepal.”, says Khakendra. “We are working towards garnering as much government support as possible to strengthen child protection systems.”
Khankendra relentlessly works towards achieving his vision for the project. Restrictions arising out of COVID-19 neither hinder his spirit nor his work.
“I am reaching out to children who are close-by, speaking to others over the phone, and ensuring they receive necessary survival support during the pandemic.”, he says.
