Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse of children, in India, is much more common than you may realize or accept. In the US it is said that 1 out of 4 children will be sexually abused. This is the incidence of reported cases, with all the fear of being caught and prosecuted. In India we are almost certain the rate is higher, what with lax legal system and parents of the abused child shunning publicity. A study in the TOI stated that at least 2 out of 6 boys and 4 out of 6 girls are abused.

Scary? No!

The abused children suffer from serious mental and physical effects, either immediately or later in life. It is time parents starting taking this as a serious risk and take steps to prevent it.

We always convince our selves that my child in SAFE hands. We must note the fact that in almost 80% of cases, children are most often by abused adults or older children whom they know, trust, or loves and who can influence their behavior by exerting power over them. In 8 out of 10 reported cases, the abuser is often an authority figure whom the child really trusts and can not say NO.

Over next 2 months we shall be tackling different aspect of this social malady. Your experiences and opinion on this subject are most welcome.

What is child sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is when an adult or an older child forces sexual contact on a younger child. The abuser may use physical abuse, bribery, threats, tricks, or take advantage of a younger child’s lack of knowledge. Any of the following acts could be labeled under sexual abuse:

• Fondling a child's genitals
• Getting a child to fondle their genitals
• Rubbing their genitals on a child
• Penetrating a child's vagina or anus
• Showing their genitals to a child
• Showing pornographic or "dirty" pictures or videotapes to a child
• Using a child as a model to make pornographic materials
• Mouth to genital contact with a child

By educating yourself and your children about sexual abuse, you can help prevent it from happening to your children and better cope with it if it does.

My child...My responsibility...

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