Shillong: A day after the Congregation of Christian Brothers assured an internal probe into the sexual abuse allegations levelled against two priests of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) said it will be reportedly seeking a report of the inquiry.
The MSCW’s move comes after certain people are questioning the genuineness of the victim Mary Therese Kurkalang’s allegations. Kurkalang had, on October 19, narrated her ordeal in a Facebook post of being sexually abused by two priests – Brother Francis Gale of the Christian Brothers and Brother Muscat of Don Bosco. As per Kurkalang, the abuse started when she was just five years old and continued till she was 12.
Meanwhile, the St Edmund’s Rector on Monday said that the special branch of the police department will be updated on the findings in the case.
With the #MeToo movement gaining momentum across the country and significant number of women outing their alleged perpetrators, the MSCW has reportedly called for a suo moto action to authenticate the truth behind such serious allegations.
The MSCW chairperson has reportedly said that Karkalung or any other woman has not approached or filed any complaint with the women’s body, so far as the #MeToo movement is concerned. The commission has also called for giving the benefit of doubt to the accused in such cases before jumping to conclusions.
The commission has also assured of all legal help along with other assistance to such victims if they happen to approach them.
