Child Sexual Abuse
Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, October-November, 2013
According to the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, 2007 report, 53 percent children are exploited by child sexual abuse. Another report of Tulir-CPHCSA, 2006 indicated that 42 percent of children are exploited – 39 percent girls and 48 percent boys.
According to Albert Einstein “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”
Myths
Children are rarely abused in India, as the Indian socio-cultural system inherently does not allow for its children.
Facts
Statistical data from available research and reported incidents (from children and adult survivors) clearly indicates that child sexual abuse is a widespread problem affecting an extremely large number of children in the country.
Child Sexual Abuse is the use of a child for sexual gratification by an older or more powerful person. The offender is usually an adult, but could also be a more powerful child. Both girls and boys are vulnerable. Besides being a public health concern, it is a crime punishable by law. Most people imagine abusers to be shadowy and frightening strangers. In fact, most often these abusers can range from family members to acquaintances and someone the victim trusts explicitly. Rarely are abusers complete strangers.
The effects of child sexual abuse vary from child to child with each child developing his/her own coping mechanism. The effects are dependent on a host of factors, the primary ones being age of the child, sex of the child, the relationship with the abusers, frequency of abuse and availability of support systems etc.
Role of Parents, School and Community in Curbing Child Sexual Abuse
Parents are most important adults in their child’s life. They care for their children and are concerned about their safety; but unfortunately cannot always ensure it. However, they can equip them with information and skills in order to build self-protective behaviour.
Schools are at the frontline of child protection since they have the potential to both teach protective behaviour effectively. Besides, educators have a special role in combating child sexual abuse, as they possess the knowledge, training and opportunity to observe and respond to children’s behaviour and physical conditions over a period of time. Additionally, because of the close daily contact they are in a unique position to identify these children who need help and protection.
Community provides information for adults on preventing child sexual abuse for the children in their lives. It discusses facts on child sexual abuse, how to talk with children, establishing healthy boundaries, fostering healthy sexual development, and taking action to prevent sexual abuse.
About the Campaign
Save the Children is devoted to stop child sexual abuse from India. It is in this context, it is launching a 90-day State-level Campaign with the support of Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR) and other INGO/NGOS in Rajasthan. The primary objective of the campaign is to create awareness on issues around Child Sexual Abuse with special reference to Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Analysing the situation in Chittorgarh, CUTS Centre for Human Development (CUTS CHD) with the support of Save the Children is launching a 90-day campaign from grassroots to the district level during October-December 2013. In this context, the Centre will be conducting various activities:
(1) Brief awareness sessions/classes with animated films in government/private schools.
(2) Meetings with Village Child Protection Committee, Gram Panchayat Child Protection Committee, Block Child Protection Committee and School Management Committee members and show the animated films and give the key messages at the end of activity/event.
(3) Film shows, slogan writing, poster, leaflet and banner competition among children.
(4) District-level awareness meetings/workshops with Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), District Child Protection Unit, Police, Women and Child Development (WCD) members and Education and Social Justice & Empowerment.
Target Audience
- Child members of Bal Manch or Children Collectives.
- Students of Class 6th to 12th in both Government/Private schools.
- Members of Integrated Child Protection Schemes structure and SMCs members.
- CWC, Police, SJE, JJB and ICDS/WCD.
- Child Welfare Officer of each and every police thana of Chittorgarh district.
For more information regarding the programme, please contact:
Dharmveer Yadav: 88890841068 (dy@cuts.org)
Madan Giri Goswami: 9829285938 (mgg@cuts.org)