If we don’t see a pattern, and don’t see a systemic problem, and don’t find a fix, God help our girls.

About a month ago, the head of a residential school in Kodaikanal was arrested on charges of sexually harassing a girl student. Apparently, he housed several girl students in his bungalow, and was in the habit of inviting them to watch English movies post-dinner in their night dress. His daughter is the principal of the school but obviously it didn’t help to have a woman principal.

Earlier this week, the principal of a residential school in Hyderabad has been arrested on charges of raping a girl student from Mumbai. Police say he repeatedly had coercive sex with her over the past year. The assaults came to light only because the girl reportedly became pregnant. Further reports say the principal had sexually harassed at least six other students.

Finally, the coach of our national women’s hockey team has been accused of sexually harassing a player. What’s more, the entire team backs the girl, apparently because many, most or all, have suffered similar experiences in the past.

So, what’s common in all the three?

Old men, 50 or over, perhaps sexually frustrated in an already liberal society that is further liberalizing at a rapid pace, and preying on young girls, some of whom are minors. And a power structure that does little to protect the innocent girls. To the contrary, regulations appear to be designed to prison, rather than protect, them.

Our administrators need a kick in their backsides for not waking up to realities and creating a system of checks and balances, not to mention transparency, that will avert such incidents. Where many stick to centuries-old system of segregation of boys and girls, little thought is given to the fact that some teachers, administrators and others have easy, and often, unhindered access to the girls. In today’s society, it might be a better idea to go co-ed, rather than segregate the girls and make them vulnerable to attacks by older men.

Residential schools, in particular, need to act swiftly to avert such incidents. A few months ago, we evaluated a school for our daughters and abandoned the idea because of draconian old-world regulations. One such rule would mean we can’t call and speak to our daughters for days together, and could meet them only on designated days, usually once a month. Last month, my niece, a Plus II student in Bangalore, was fined Rs. 250 for carrying a cellphone. Mind you, she was penalized for carrying it, not for using it in class. I don’t know if school teachers and administrators live in another planet, but teenaged students not being allowed to carry a cellphone is ridiculous. By all means, punish them if they use it during classes. In today’s society, how can we send our children to schools and colleges without being able to reach them in reasonable time?

All I can say to parents is this: Say no to stupid regulations, and strongly protest with the school authorities to have them changed.