more-in Childline volunteers saved two children, who were being regularly assaulted by their mentally distressed mother, from Vavad near Koduvally in Kozhikode on Friday. Childline intervened following a tip-off and found that the children, aged six and nine, were living with their mother, as their father had abandoned them. Childline district coordinator Mohammed Afsal said the house was in an unkempt state, and that the woman had signs of mental distress. The children were shifted to Children’s Home in Kozhikode with the help of Child Welfare Committee. The woman was admitted to the Mental Health Centre at Kuthiravattom with the help of the local child development project officer, ICDS supervisor, and the police. “This is a case in which timely intervention saved the lives of two children. They would have been dead at the hands of their mother had we failed to act fast,” Mr. Afsal said. Meanwhile, the children said they had not informed anyone of their mother’s assaults out of fear. Even their teachers were unaware of matter until Childline counsellors Kunhoyi Puthur and Rajani turned up to counsel them at school. “The children’s uncle and aunt have expressed willingness to take up their guardianship, though legal proceedings are yet to be finalised,” Mr. Afsal said.

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