Teen sex is always an issue in a permissive society. Some teenagers usually have a flippant attitude towards sex and indulge in it liberally. They come from all types of background. Yet, there is another more important issue in our society involving sex innocent girls being raped by their stepfathers. This involves girls who are staying with their stepfathers.

Isn't there a mechanism in our society or legislation to save these innocent girls from being raped by their stepfathers? It can be unbearably nauseating to read in the dailies about rapes involving girls and their stepfathers. This has been frequently reported in our society - albeit the tip of the iceberg - and it affects innocent children. Crimes of this nature keeps on distressing our minds as the victims are helpless children who are forced to live with their stepfathers as their mothers are married to them.

Steps have to be taken to safeguard the welfare of children as when there is a divorce, children are usually the most affected. In reality, the family institution does not only revolve around a man or woman. The debate on marriage and divorce in our society sadly revolves around the rights of men and women. Less is focused on the rights of children the offshoot of a marriage. The children are equally important and should be protected if a marriage fails. Their right to live a safe and decent life is equally important.

The authorities have to be aware of the indecency involving children of divorced parents. After a divorce, a court order is made placing the children with either their mother or father. Some children, especially daughters, would be staying with their stepfathers when their mother remarries. Would these children then be safe in the hands of their stepfathers? Who are there to observe the welfare of these minors in this environment, other then their own mother?

In most cases, these girls cannot depend on their own mother who, unavoidably, cannot always be with them in the house. These girls would be lucky if they end up staying with a responsible stepfather. Otherwise, their fate would be a doomed. They can be sexually abused.

Unfortunately, some children have been sexually and physically abused by their stepparents and they suffer in silence. Some have been bold enough to come out to tell about the abuse, but this only after harm has already been done to them.

The syariah courts or the civil courts should ensure that the custody of children upon a divorce be discretionarily enforced. The proviso in law that a young girl can be given the right to choose with whom to stay (father or mother) has to be thoughtfully deliberated upon. It is often natural for the child to have more affection for her mother than her father without the child herself realising the consequences that might befall her, especially when the mother re-marries.

Children have the right to be protected when their parents divorce. They are innocents who do not know the danger that lurks when they are made to stay with stepparents. The process of the law may decide who gets custody but what further steps are taken by the authorities to monitor their well-being after the parent has started a new life with another man or woman?

There has to be a proper mechanism to resolve this issue. Children affected in a divorce - irrespective of their social standing - should immediately be registered with the state or district welfare department to enable an eye to be kept on their well being. These children's addresses should always be on the department's record and any change should be immediately noted down.

Society should have sympathy for these innocent girls who have been raped by their stepfathers and also for many others who have gone through the same suffering and desolation but dare not come forward to reveal their living nightmares.