Child sexual abuse remains one of India’s most hidden crises. Boys and girls alike face violations in homes, schools, and neighborhoods—often normalized or brushed aside as “child’s play.”
The Scope
- Prevalence: Surveys indicate that nearly 53% of children experience some form of sexual abuse before age 18.
- Gender Nuances: While girls suffer more severe forms of abuse, boys are less likely to report due to stigma and fear of being disbelieved.
Societal Barriers
- Cultural Taboos: Conversations around sex are forbidden, silencing survivors even within families.
- Victim Blaming: Children are sometimes labeled provocateurs, deepening their trauma.
- Institutional Gaps: Many schools lack child‐protection policies; local law enforcement is often untrained in handling sensitive cases.
Legal Framework
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: A robust law on paper, but implementation is patchy.
- Mandatory Reporting: Teachers and doctors must report suspected abuse, yet fear of legal entanglements often leads to inaction.
Pathways to Healing
- Education & Awareness: Age‐appropriate programs in schools to build body autonomy.
- Community Engagement: Training local leaders, parents, and youth on recognizing and preventing abuse.
- Survivor Support: Accessible counseling, legal aid, and safe shelters.
- Media Responsibility: Sensitive reporting that centers survivor dignity over sensationalism.
Breaking the silence starts with believing survivors and equipping communities with the tools to protect their children.
