End Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse is a topic which is rarely discussed in India thanks to the social stigma and cultural taboos associated with it. Nonetheless, research does show that over 53 per cent of our children, across SECs, geographical locations and age groups report some degree of sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse occurs in all social and economic classes of society.Most children are sexually abused inside their own homes. In a predominant number of cases, abusers have the trust of children and their families and access to their homes. Both girls and boys are victims. Research has proven that differently able children are in fact more likely to be abused because of their increased vulnerabilities. Children do not lie or weave stories about being sexually abused.

The pressure to remain silent to uphold distorted concepts of honor and respect is immense. Also, children in our society are kept ignorant of sex and the possibility of abuse. Given these two facts the child is not lying when he/she relates an incident of sexual abuse. The majority of abusers are known to the child and are often in positions of trust and power vis-à-vis the child. Example: Family, relatives, neighbours, teachers etc. Abusers are seldom mentally ill; on the contrary they are "regular" people who lead "routine" lives. In most reported cases the abuser is not physically violent but uses emotional manipulation to coerce the victim.

On Children's Day, we want you to Raise Awareness and Take the Steps mentioned in the Action Page!