Singaporean national to climb Everest to raise awareness over child abuse

Chennai, Feb 21 (ANI): Santosh Kumar, a Singaporean national of Indian origin and an outdoor adventure enthusiast has intended to scale the Mount Everest this March to raise awareness on prevention of child sexual abuse.

This social activist-cum-mountaineer intends to complete his expedition to the highest peak on the earth, in 67 days.

Kumar said, "This March 29, 2010 I am going to climb Mount Everest and I am going to do that for a cause to raise awareness on prevention of child sexual abuse in particular in India."

"I picked up this cause because I realised that it is a very big problem that we are currently facing," he added.

According to social scientists, more than 10,000 paedophiles in the garb of tourists and missionaries visit India every year and molest children, especially those hailing from the poor strata of the society.

International children's organisation, Child Relief and You (CRY), in its recent report said seven children were raped in 2002 and it tripled to 22 cases by 2003. (ANI)