Spare a thought on CHILDREN’S DAY: How Safe is Your Child?
By Bivan Rodriques Mukhim
“The Child needs special safeguards and care, including legal protection before and after birth.” (Declaration of the Rights of the Child)
“Childhood is entitled to special care and assistance” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Sexual abuse is a daily reality for many children. Such incident left an indelible mark on the psychological health and educational impact of the child. Even children who don’t experience harassment themselves but see such incidents taking place feel unsafe at home and in school, leading to withdrawal and low self esteem. This is the reason why most children dread the thought of staying alone at home when the parents are away or of going to school.
According to a study on child abuse (2007) released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in the recent past, Assam tops the list, showing highest percentage of sexual abuse of young adults (13-14 age group) (77%). Immediately behind Assam are Delhi (69.11 %), Andhra Pradesh (59.48%), Uttar Pradesh (58%) and Mizoram (55.61%). The study was conducted by the ‘Save the Child’ a Delhi based NGO, ‘PRAYAS’ and UNICEF. The study shows that the younger children (5-12 years of age) reported higher sexual abuse than the other age groups. Highest incidence of sexual assaults was reported in the case of children on street, children at work and children in institutional care. The main object of the study was to formulate policies to efficiency control this terrifying problem in our country, which has raised its ugly head.
In another research, SAKSHI, a New Delhi-based NGO revealed the fact that 80% of Indian girls and women, coming from different social strata are victims of sexual abuse in the hands of their own family members, close persons and friends circle. These figures are sufficient to press the panic button.
Interestingly, the global picture is not so different. Just see the shocking figures. Out of every three girls, one is the victim of sexual abuse before she reaches the age of eighteen and the figure is one in four before she reaches the age of fourteen. On the other hand, one in six boys is sexually abused before he reaches the age of sixteen.
What exactly is child abuse? Any sexual contact between the susceptible child and another adult where the child becomes the tool of sexual gratification in the hands of that person is called sexual abuse. The sexual abuse may be visual, verbal, exposure to dirty pictures, fondling of private parts as well as rape. These offenders are known as ‘paedophiles’ and they operate with or without the consent of the children. In the eye of law, consent of the minor is not consent at all.
In the Indian society the attitude of ‘silence and sex’, dismissal behaviour and culture of denial are the main reasons that contribute to a high rate of child sexual abuse. Parents always hesitate to discuss about sex with the children and never teach them about specifying their private parts. Paedophiles are those individuals who are either close family members or adults known to the child. In our society, we generally teach the children to respect the seniors. Consequently, when the offender approaches the child cunningly, with proper plan to abuse him/her sexually, then the child feels almost suffocated to say ‘no’ as these are the persons whom they trust. They can never offer resistance as their family values have taught them to obey seniors. While they cannot share about their traumatic experiences with their parents or anyone, they are compelled to suppress the problem and thus start suffering from guilt, disgust, shame and humiliation all through their lives.
Unfortunately in India, there is no separate, exclusive legislation to deal with the problem of child sexual abuse. The existing legislation -Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act, 2000 is not fully efficient to curb the problem of child sexual abuse. Even section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (law on rape), Section 377 of the IPC (law on sodomy) are not fully effective to control sexual abuse because of its ambivalence in its definition.
The incidence of child sexual abuse is on the rise day by day. As a remedy, parents should teach the child about their parts of the bodies and tell them that nobody should be allowed to touch certain parts under any circumstances. There should be transparency in the parent-child relationship in the matter of discussion about sexual abuse, since most children do not report the matter to anyone and try to suppress due to the lack of proper supportive environment. Proper sex education should be imparted at schools.
Media is focusing the incidents of child sexual abuse or any such incident excessively. Private channels are in no way less in this sensitive matter. Focusing should be there, but not as a gimmick or matter of publicity stunt, but with a positive framework of mind to produce effective solutions. You will be stunning to observe the ominous nexus among culprits, police, politicians and judiciary.
In Schools the curriculum should be so designed that in addition to the conventional education, real life or value education could be imparted to everyone. This education should bring an attitudinal change towards gender discrimination and sexual exploitation.