Child Sexual Abuse: A Dark Reality

By:  Muzamil Bashir
Child Sexual abuse continues to be on high rise in our country. It is a much prevalent and devastating reality that is consuming our tender innocent souls who are the builders of nation and pillars of tomorrow. Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a child by an adult, adolescent or older child. If any adult engages in sexual activity with a child, that is sexual abuse. The children constitute the most vulnerable section of the society as they are powerless to safeguard their own rights and protecting them from any abuse is not only our moral obligation but also a legal responsibility. It is very crucial to understand that the child sexual abuse traumatizes a child for lifetime. Therefore, it’s important to address the issue at its roots and stop it from spreading like any epidemic.
India is the second most populous country in the world and as per the census its home to 19 percent of worlds children which constitute 42 percent of India’s total population. The overall 50 percent of these children are in need of care and protection. Hence it’s very imperative to have the robust child protection mechanism to deal with the vulnerable children who become the silent sufferers of any kind of violence.
According to the report on the “study of child abuse” conducted in 2007 by the Ministry of women and child development, 52.3 percent of India’s children have been sexually assaulted which means one in every person is subjected to sexual violence before they reach the age of 18 years. The facts and figures on Child abuse are alarming and equally concerning. The Indian National Crimes Records Bureau[ NCRB] reports a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes and most of the children report abuse by a Parent, relative or school teacher. This is a grave sign and demands an urgent attention. There are so many chilling incidents which have happened in the recent past and have often gone unreported and unnoticed in the public sphere. The talk on such issues is still considered as a taboo in our society. The children prefer to suffer in silence rather than coming open on such matters.
Recently a bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 was passed by the parliament to make transformative approach in reporting the crimes against Women and Children. The stringent provisions in the law enable the victims to speak without any fear and report the abuse without visiting any police station thus ensuring the time bound justice. It aims at creating the safer environment and ensures severe punishment for those who commit such horrendous acts of sexual crime
Besides, The protection of children from sexual offences [POCSO] Act, 2012 is also the active child protection legislation in India specific to sexual abuse. The Act seeks to provide protection to the children from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography while safeguarding the interests of the child at every stage of the Judicial process by incorporating child friendly mechanisms for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and speedy trial of offences through designated special courts.
Despite the strong Acts like POCSO, the Child offences graph shows no decline. A multi-dimensional approach is required in this regard. The vigorous campaigns and programs must be launched by the administration in coordination with NGO’s, and civil society members to spread the awareness. The Acts can prove as an effective tool in curbing the menace of CSA if implemented in letter and spirit. Creating the safer environment for children must be the top priority of any civilized society.