Child Sexual Abuse In India

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN INDIA

Any type of child abuse that involves having sex with a minor is known as child sexual abuse. There is no way for a child to consent to any kind of sexual behaviour. When someone interacts with a youngster in this manner, they are committing a felony that may have long-term consequences for the victim. Physical contact between the perpetrator and the kid is not a need for child sexual abuse. Most of the offenders are someone whom the child or family knows. Ninety-three percent of victims under the age of eighteen are aware of the abuser. It is not necessary for an adult to injure a youngster. A parent of another child, a family member, an older sibling or playmate, a teacher, a coach, or an instructor, a caregiver, or any other relationship can be formed with the youngster. As per the findings of 1 in 6, child sexual assault is attributed to abusive behaviour that exploits a child's vulnerability and is not associated with the sexual orientation of the perpetrator.

CHILD PROTECTION AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS

1. SALAAM BAALAK TRUST is a renowned Indian nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of street children. Founded in 1988, it provides shelter, education, health care and vocational training to homeless and marginalized youth in major Indian cities. SBT’s impactful work offers hope and a brighter future to countless underprivileged children. Since its inception, this organization has supported children in toto, provided shelter to children, distributed meals, engaged children to literacy programs, provided vocational training to beneficiaries and reunited children with their families.
2. Save the children or bal raksha bharat is a renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children in India. Their programs focus on education, health care and protection, aiming to provide children with a better future. Through various initiatives, they strive to ensure every child’s rights are upheld and their potential unlocked.
3. World vision India is a prominent humanitarian organization working tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable children and communities across India. Established in 1951, it focuses on education, health care and economic empowerment, with a mission to combat poverty and promote child well-being. Its extensive outreach has positively impacted countless lives due to its focus on improving ration and household supplies for the economically vulnerable.
4. SOS Children's village is a global organization with a strong presence in India, offering loving homes and holistic care to orphaned and abandoned children. Established in 1964, it provides stable family environments, education and support to ensure children’s emotional and social development. It is a beacon of hope for disadvantaged youth, especially with their long-term customized care interventions such as family-like care, special needs childcare, individual foster care, short stay homes, family strengthening, kinship care, emergency childcare, education and youth skilling.
5. The Delhi council for Child welfare is a dedicated organization committed to the welfare of children in India’s capital. Founded in 1952, it focuses on providing programs, such as PALNA and BAL CHETNA, which are aimed at encouraging holistic development of the youth in the areas of nutrition, medical services, vocational training, care of abandoned children, adoption, rehabilitation of mentally and physically challenged children and providing day-care and non-formal education. Over 2,500 children benefit from these programs daily.

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND MONITORING LAWS

Legal frameworks designed to safeguard children from the dangers associated with convicted sexual offenders must include provisions for the registration and monitoring of sexual offenders. These laws usually impose registration requirements on those convicted of specific sexual offenses, requiring them to provide personal details including name, address, and conviction details to law enforcement organizations.

Enhancing public safety through the ability of law enforcement to trace the whereabouts of convicted sexual offenders is one of the main goals of laws pertaining to the registration of sexual offenders. Authorities can keep an eye on the whereabouts and activities of people who have committed sexual offenses by keeping a record of those individuals. This practice lowers the probability of reoffending and, in the event that it is required, facilitates early intervention. Laws pertaining to sex offender registration frequently contain clauses requiring regular updates and verification of registration data. It can be necessary for offenders to submit to law enforcement on a frequent basis to verify their current residence and other information. There may be legal repercussions, including more criminal charges, if registration requirements are not met. Furthermore, a lot of jurisdictions have put in place sex offender monitoring programs, like GPS tracking devices or electronic ankle bracelets. With the use of these technologies, authorities can enforce adherence to geographical limits, such forbidding offenders from living close to schools or other places where kids congregate

PREVENTIVE MEASURE FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

• CSA is a significant public health issue, necessitating public health interventions.
• The population must be the focus of the preventive measures, and the most prevalent and important CSA-affecting factors must be addressed.
• Parents should create a trustworthy environment and should ask if any questionable activity by adults or older children should be reported by the child to the parents.
• The child should be assured not to feel guilty by their parents.
• Children between the ages of 3 and 5 can be instructed on “good” touch, “acceptable touch,” and “poor touch.”
• Teenagers require more in-depth instruction on topics like body physiology, sexual activity, pregnancy, healthy relationships, and sexual abuse, which is best delivered in the classroom by trained teachers.
• Teachers in India’s schools use innovative methods to teach students about adolescent health, including puberty, as part of the “Health and Wellness Curriculum.”

LONG TERM EFFECT OF SEXUAL ABUSE ON CHILD

Preadolescent sexually abused children fall for posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis, depression, conduct disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Adolescent children who experience CSA have a strong feeling of hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts. Owing to various emotional, social, and cultural factors, CSA has long-lasting negative effects on mental health. Effects can be immediate, intermediate, and long-term. The Ministry of Women and Child Development established Sakhi: One Stop Centres in 2015. It is established preferably within a hospital/medical facility to provide support and assistance to victims of gender violence. As a result, “under one roof” services like medical, police, psychosocial counselling, legal aid, shelter, referral, and video conferencing are provided.