Grace Home case : AMCO for speedy trial
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08, 2013: Stating that the alleged 'child trafficking,' 'sexual abuse' and 'rape of children' at Grace Home, Jaipur, and the incarceration of the principal accused, pastor John Jacob, has brought shame, anger and challenge to the Christian ministers and members, the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) urged for a just and speedy legal verdict against the accused.

Feeling the need to address the issue of the heinous act, AMCO held emergency sittings on July 22 and 23 to express, clarify and appeal to the Christians in particular and people of Manipur in general regarding child trafficking, sexual abuse and rape, especially of children.

A statement issued by AMCO said that child trafficking, sexual abuse and rape, especially of children, is a heinous crime, a grave sin to be condemned by all while condemning the series of crime, allegedly committed by Jacob John against his maid-servants and innocent children at Grace Home at Jaipur.

Sharing the trauma, shame and pain of the innocent victims of Grace Home, Jaipur � the maidservants and the innocent children, AMCO said the indescribable psychological wound and the spiritual trauma caused to children will take a long time to be healed while expressing deep sympathy and assuring them of prayerful support.

That child trafficking, sexual abuse and rape, especially of children must be seen within the larger context of an entire society � poverty, injustice, corruption, illiteracy, gender inequality, sexual mal-adjustment, etc.

It further clarified that pastor John Jacob, the accused person and the institution he runs (Grace Home, Jaipur) has neither link with any Christian organization nor has he taken permission from any Christian Church organization in Manipur for his institution.

The All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) and its constituent Churches have no knowledge about the person and his institution but only through the public media � we have no partnership with the person and his institution.

Further, it appealed all concerned to beware of bogus organizations lurking around to recruit children, for money and carnal motives, in the guise of charity and to authenticate the genuineness of the person/s involved and the organization/institution before entrusting children in their hands.

In case of doubt on the person and organization, AMCO advised all concerned to inform the local village authority and police or alert child help line.

After establishing the authenticity, local Church authority and get the Church's letter of approval should be obtained, it cautioned while also urging to take every care to abide by the legal demands of the land.

In case of any untoward incident taking place in an area, say rape, sexual assault or child trafficking, etc, one must immediately inform the rightful authorit and refrain from taking law into one's hands or indulge in irrational mob culture as it does more harm than good.

Calling upon all Christians of various churches and all social organizations to make comprehensive strategies and mechanisms to prevent recurrence of all forms of sexual abuses in respective areas, AMCO said that safety and protection, specially of children must be given priority.

Any child sexual abuse is an outrageous offence, but it arouses extremely negative reaction in the public if significant persons such as religious leaders commit it, the AMCO statement said adding this is because of the higher trust and confidence placed on them by the society is outraged.

However, one must strive to maintain an attitude of charity.

The legitimate desire to protect children to the utmost must not lead one to be unjust towards those who inflict such a serious wrong nor resorted to summary condemnation on them to bear life of shame and death as they are still fellow human beings, children of God in need of compassion.

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