Topic: Child Sexual Abuse In India

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious and widespread problem in India, as it is today in many
parts of the world. While child sexual abuse (CSA) is recognised as a serious violation of human
well-being and the law, there are still no mechanisms developed by the community to ensure that
none of their youth is sexually abused. Unfortunately, CSA is an international problem of great
magnitude that can affect children of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and socio-economic
classes. Sexual abuse-related trauma can lead to arrested development, as well as a host of
psychological and emotional disorders that can never be overcome by some children and
adolescents. They are left to suffer in silence when sexual abuse goes unreported and children are
not given the protective and therapeutic assistance they need. In the first instance, this review
will concentrate on the prevalence of CSA, the related mental health consequences and the
prevention measures to avoid CSA from occurring. This paper looks at the existence and
prevalence of sexual abuse of minors in India and provides a review of the results of research to
date. Discussed are the socio-cultural and family risk factors involved in CSA. Common sexual
assault-related signs and conditions are listed. Finally, for psychologists dealing with children in
India who have been sexually assaulted, there are certain implications.

Keywords: Child, Sexual Abuse, Indian society, Mental Trauma , Prevention ,Intervention
Statement of Problem –
There are a variety of concerns to be tackled in Indian childhood, such as child abuse and
neglect, poverty, parental problems, and personal issues such as depression, tension, anger, and
child conflict. For all these setbacks, disadvantaged children try to lead their usual lives. There
are many policies and actions for their potential growth and survival, but children are still
victims of child sexual exploitation and their childhood is abused. The topic of child sexual
exploitation has spread across India's early history and is noted as a deep-rooted social concern.
Sexual exploitation has been seen as perhaps the most extreme form of child abuse and calls for
special attention. Recent international studies report that the prevalence of CSA worldwide
among girls is about 20 per cent and among boys is around 8 per cent. Another meta-analysis of
the current prevalence of CSA worldwide indicates that about 9 per cent of girls and 3 per cent of
boys experience attempted or completed forced intercourse, and 13 per cent of girls and 6 per
cent of boys experience forced intercourse.

Research Hypothesis
Research paper studies have sought to empirically validate the results of child sexual exploitation
cited in the clinical literature. As far as the initial effects are concerned, In at least some parts of
the victim population, observational studies have shown reactions: fear, anxiety, depression,
anger and aggression, abuse, and sexually inappropriate behaviour. Depression and self-
destructive actions, anxiety, feelings of alienation and guilt, low self-esteem, trouble trusting
others a propensity to revictimize, substance addiction and sexual maladjustment are widely
documented long-term effects. The types of violations that appear to be most dangerous,
according to observational studies, are experiences involving father figures, genital contact, and
force. Controversies on the impact of child sexual abuse are discussed and proposals for future
research initiatives are suggested.
Scope of the Study

The research centred on topics related to child sexual abuse, such as understanding, expertise,
experience and prevention of child sexual abuse. In India, very few studies have been carried out
so far in the field of child rights and protection, especially on the subject of child sexual abuse,
and therefore this study will help to learn about the experiences of child sexual abuse among
school-learning adolescents. The research also explores the prevalence and effect of CSA on
adult mental health, including factors that mediate adult outcomes in the general population. By
truly recognising the topic of child sexual exploitation, society will definitely change its views
on child abuse and regain its ways of defending children's rights. The findings of the study would
help to explain the level of sensitivity and knowledge of child sexual exploitation among
adolescents. The results also enable experts in the field of child protection and policy makers to
develop successful prevention measures to curb child sexual abuse.

Research Questions

1. What is the general awareness of people about Child Sexual Abuse?

2. What is the knowledge of general public on patterns and misconceptions of Child Sexual
Abuse?

3. What is the Child knowledge about good touch and bad touch with respect to Child Sexual
Abuse?

4. What is the childhood experiences and feelings of child sexual abuse of the respondents?

5. How effective would the law to prevent child sexual abuse in the long run?
INTRODUCTION
The risk of sexual abuse is one of the major problems children face today. Child Sexual Abuse
(CSA) is a global phenomenon that is regarded as one of the 21st century's greatest social
problems. It is recognised as a serious violation of the rights of children and the well-being of
humans. Violence against children in any context is not justifiable and all violence against
children is preventable, but protection against violence against children is a matter of urgency
throughout the world.1 The CSA is not a "new phenomenon" and is not unique to any specific
country or culture. It is a large-scale international issue that can affect children of all races,
genders, ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic classes. The only reason why child sexual abuse
seems like a modern phenomenon is that it has never been addressed by our culture." Child
sexual abuse is a crime committed against Child sexual abuse is never the fault of a child and no
one is entitled to sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) in India is a prevalent problem that occurs both within and outside the
family system. There are some potential adverse effects of CSA that may persist throughout the
lifetime of children. Research has indicated that child sexual abuse (CSA) can interfere with
human development and growth and place children at risk for a wide range of mental and
emotional problems. These conditions can be involved in anxiety (e.g., panic disorder, OCD and
PTSD), depression, anger, cognitive distortions, posttraumatic stress, dissociation, identity
disorder, deregulation, behavioural difficulties, substance addiction, self-mutilation, bulimia,
inappropriate or dysfunctional sexual behaviour, somatization, and aggression, suicidality, and
personality disorders. 2Some common outcomes for adult survivors of CSA include: mental
health issues (e.g. depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and posttraumatic stress), relationship

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problems (e.g. sexual health, intimacy, and increased risk of sexual assault and domestic
violence), and spiritual concerns (e.g. broken beliefs about life, people, and oneself, and shifting
beliefs after trauma. However, research has shown that some adult survivors of CSA can
overcome the effects of their abuse and demonstrate resilience and posttraumatic growth.

Child sexual abuse is a delicate topic and most people in our culture are not going to lift their
voice against child sexual abuse. Because of fear and anxiety, most victims of sexual assault do
not reveal their sexual encounter to others and also because of fear of what damage the attacker
does if they disclose it to others. If in some situations, the victims reveal the experience, the
parents or adults appear to disbelieve them. The report conducted on child abuse by the Ministry
of Women and Child Development (2007)3 provides ample evidence to show that "child sexual
abuse is prevalent in India." The research divided sexual harassment into two categories,'
extreme and other kinds.' Extreme forms of sexual abuse included abusing, touching or caring
for an infant, pressuring a child to reveal his/her private parts, photographing a nude child.
Forcible kissing, sexual advances towards a child during travels, sexual advances towards a child
during marriage ceremonies, exhibitionism and exposing a child to pornographic materials are
the other types of sexual assault. The study found that 5.69 percent of the total respondents
reported having been sexually abused, 53.22 percent of respondents said they had experienced
one or more forms of sexual harassment, 21 percent of respondents faced significant forms of
sexual abuse, including sexual assault. The findings also showed that half (50.7%) of the
respondents were facing other types of sexual harassment.

This paper discusses, from an anthropological point of view, the existence and prevalence of
child sexual abuse (CSA) in India and summarises the study findings on CSA to date. Within the
context of anthropological literature, community-based and socio-cultural factors that placed
children young people and families at risk of sexual exploitation are carefully studied4. Finally,
the value, along with capacity building and community effectiveness of social support for
children and families is strongly emphasised.

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CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Child abuse and neglect is a universal social problem worldwide The fears of child violence and
neglect have drawn global attention and it is a breach of the rights of children. Child abuse
involves all types of ill-treatment, physical, emotional or sexual abuse and exploitation that
affect the health, growth and survival of the child.' Child neglect means failure to provide for the
growth of a child with health, education, housing, nutrition, healthy living conditions and
emotional development. 5Child abuse is a wilful and intentional act by parents or caretakers, and
child neglect may be attributed to the inability of parents or caretakers for many reasons to fulfil
the obligation of the child.

DEFINITIONS OF CHILD ABUSE

There is no Universal Definition for Child Abuse in the Indian sense. Child Abuse has a number
of causes and types, such as "physical, emotional, sexual, neglect and exploitation, any of these
factors that are harmful to the child's survival, development and health are child abuse."6

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is defined by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 and
includes: (a the employment, use, intimidation, incitement, or coercion of any child to engage in
or assist any other person to engage in any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such
conduct for the purpose of creating a visual depiction of such conduct; or (b) rape, and in cases
of rape. Child sexual abuse involves the possession, creation and supply of sexually explicit
photographs of children; the use of the Internet to draw children to sexual acts; child prostitution;
and child harassment.

According to Kempe & Kempe (1984) Child Sexual Abuse is the involvement of dependent,
developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not fully
understand and to which they are unable to give informed consent or which violate the social
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https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12646-013-0198-6
tabuisms of family roles."Trauma is an individual's response to a devastating event or series of
events and has been described as an individual's response to a devastating event or series of
events."

Kercher & McShane (1984) describes Child Sexual Abuse as 'contacts or experiences between
the child and the adult when the child is used for sexual stimulation by the perpetrator or another
person. Sexual assault may be committed by a person under the age of 18 when that person is
substantially older than the victim or when the abuser is in a position of power or influence over
another child." Various "United Nations (UN) agencies and global child protection agencies"
have put forward many concepts. Some governments usually categorise child sexual abuse as a
form of violence involving contact or interaction between a child and an older or more
knowledgeable child or adult when a child is used as an object of gratification for an older child
or an adult's sexual needs" (UNICEF, 2012).

Sexual harassment involves any attempted or competing sexual activity with a child or an adult
who is coerced or compelled to participate against their will. This includes forcible sexual
offences such as rape and sodomy.

"Physical abuse is when a child has been physically harmed due to some interaction or lack
of interaction by another person, which could have been prevented by any person in a
position of responsibility, confidence or power, according to the World Health
Organization (1999).7" "Emotional abuse can be seen as a failure to provide a child with a
supportive environment and primary attachment figure so that a full and healthy range of
emotional abilities can be developed." Emotional abuse is also the act of causing harm to the
development of a child, when a person responsible for the child could have been within
reasonable control. Limiting movement, threatening, scaring, discriminating, ridiculing,
belittling, etc are examples of these acts.8 The pressure kids feel to perform well in school and
college exams, which can be seen as a form of emotional stress and abuse, is a growing concern
in India. Neglect or negligent treatment is the deliberate omission by a caregiver of some or all of
the child's developmental needs with the intent to harm the child. This involves the failure to
protect the child, when feasible, from a harmful situation or environment. Exploitation may be

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https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/resources/publications/en/guidelines_chap7.pdf
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commercial or otherwise used for some form of labour or other operation advantageous to others
by the boy.'

Sexual abuse is the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully
understand, is unable to give informed consent to, or is not developed and unable to give consent
to or violates society's laws or social taboos. Child sexual abuse is demonstrated by this activity
between a child and an adult or another child who is in a relationship of responsibility, trust or
authority by age or development, the activity being designed to satisfy or satisfy the needs of the
other person. This may include, but is not limited to the induction or coercion of a child to
engage in any sexual activity that is illegal. The abusive use of children in the context of
prostitution or other illegal sexual practises. In pornographic performances and materials, the
exploitative use of children.'

What is child sexual abuse?

Child Sexual abuse occurs when a child is forcefully kissed by an adult, a child is forced to
fondle and sexually interact with a child. Sexual abuse also involves touching a child's private
parts, asking a child to touch others' private parts, bathing together with a child, displaying a
child with porn videos or sexually explicit images, photographing a child in sexual poses,
sending a child sexual messages or images.9

FORMS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Child Sexual Abuse encompasses two categories, including contact sexual abuse and non-contact
sexual abuse, but is not limited only to these two categories.

1. Contact Sexual Abuse

Contact Sexual Abuse oral sexual activity, such as sucking or kissing private parts and oral
genital contact. It occurs when an adult asks a child to touch or be sexually touched. It also
involves sexual contact behaviours such as touching, fondling, or tickling of the genitals, breasts,
or thighs directly or through clothing. 10
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Thus, interaction with child sexual abuse includes physical contact, including touching, rubbing
and penetrating parts of the body."

2. Non-Contact Sexual Abuse

Non-contact forms of sexual assault take place without actual sexual contact between the
attacker and the victim. It can also involve verbal sexual assault, such as sexual innuendo, and
derogatory comments regarding the child's body, as well as demands for sexual favours. Other
types of non-contact sexual exploitation include requiring children to watch adults participate in
sexual activity, revealing private parts of an adult to a child, transmitting sexual explicit
messages, photographs and videos to children via messages or the Internet. Research points out
that non-contact sexual harassment includes sexual signs of non-verbal communication where
visible acts convey sexual messages.11 Non-contact harassment can also occur in media by sexual
activity or nudity that is sexually aroused by its existence."

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Victims of sexual assault indicate a number of signs after the abuse has occurred. Unlike
physical violence or neglect, there would be no visible physical signs that a child is sexually
abused initially after the abuse. Physical signs and symptoms are observed in victims, but the
mental and psychological effects have been found to cause long-term damage to victims.
Changes in the child's actions may suggest a possible trauma and there are many physical signs
of child sexual abuse. Sudden emotional or behavioural changes may be the result of sexual
assault, particularly clinginess, fear of being alone or sleep disruptions and nightmares. New
school problems, such as learning difficulties, poor attention and declining grades, can also mean
that a child has been disturbed by something. Other symptoms like a child might show are
suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, risk-taking behaviour, poor academic performance, post-
traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs).12

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Sexual exploitation of children is a "chronic neurologic disease" that may have harmful effects
for victims.

Self-denial self-harm and suicide are thought to be the prevalent effects of sexual assault. A
study showed that the majority of respondents felt that they committed suicide in their later life
and that they were sexually abused in their youth. Child sexual exploitation may have a greater
influence on the development of the brain. The symptoms of sexual abuse can include
'dissociation, cognitive deterioration and decreased social functioning, and sexual abuse can also
have physical implications for victims of sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy.'

Victims of child sexual abuse exhibit a variety of actions that suggest sexual activity, and display
issues encountered by children due to adverse child sexual abuse. Young children who have been
sexually assaulted have an unacceptable degree of sexual behaviour. Research argues that when
certain children display low sexual knowledge relative to young children in the same age group,
it is a "high probability indicator of sexual abuse." It has been found that children repeatedly
attempt to express their concerns and emotions by drawings and paintings.13 The author advises
that teachers, parents and clinicians working with children should be conscious and
knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of sexual harassment of children.

It is recommended that if parents and teachers have questions and concerns about assessing the
signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, they should be able to contact a counsellor, therapist
or social worker who is a specialist in the area of sexual abuse. The author also suggests that
parents and educators do not treat every issue in children as a sign of sexual assault. Sexual
exploitation of children can be associated with a variety of behavioural and psychological
disorders and does not produce obvious evidence or physical signs. The author further pointed
out that in many cases, child sexual abuse victims may not display physical symptoms of abuse,
so that parents, teachers can develop awareness of the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse
in children to protect the victims as soon as possible."

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FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Researchers have described a variety of factors that lead to child sexual exploitation.14 The
children are not accountable for the abuse imposed upon them, but some child characteristics
have been found to increase the risk or potential for maltreatment. Most theories of child
maltreatment identified the “root cause for child sexual abuse can be organized into a framework
of four major principal systems, namely,

1. The child

2. The family

3. The community

4. The society

1. Child

Children with disabilities are more vulnerable than children without disabilities, and they are at
high risk of child sexual abuse. Children with disabilities are frequently segregated from the
general population, resulting in limitations on involvement in social environments that are
normal. This isolation reinforces their need for service providers or care takers. In order to
maintain power and control over victims and sexually abuse them, the perpetrators take
advantage of this. Child sexual abuse perpetrators could benefit from children with intellectual
disabilities who have speech, hearing or social problems or who do not understand social
situations very well. It is more likely that these kids will experience sexual abuse. Korn (2004)
suggests that sexual education is rarely delivered in special education classrooms and the author
argued that even though the instructional materials are not aimed at their developmental levels
for children with disabilities who obtain sex education, some of the children with disabilities lack
vocabulary to reveal what has happened to them and techniques to protect themselves against
violence.

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 2. Family

Family acts as a contributing factor for child sexual abuse through the factors like poverty,
domestic violence and single headed families. There is a clear link between poverty and child
sexual exploitation, and poverty leads parents to break their commitment to provide their
children with their needs. Some  research  suggests that poverty causes some children to carry
out sexual acts for a benefit that will create a risk factor for sexual exploitation in those children.
A family member or someone that the family knows and trusts may be a regular perpetrator of
childhood sexual exploitation . . In a family where a child has been sexually abused, the lack of
adult oversight is characterised as harsh and punitive, inconsistent and desensitised to stress,
chaos and crisis.

A study conducted among mothers of families with histories of child sexual abuse revealed that
mothers from such families have issues that include an inability to speak up when children are
abused, not trusting or overestimating their capacity for effective parenting, reduced ability to
express love, affection, comfort, and sincere feelings towards children or with particular
children, This theory provides a basis for understanding how human behaviour is influenced by
cognitive and environmental factors .Bandura claims that triadic reciprocity arises from
"interactions of behaviour, environment and personal factors." Children in some families who are
inherently curious (self-influence) after witnessing some sexual materials or actual sexual
experiences (social influence) can lead to sexual experimentation and the exploitation of others
(behavioural outcome) in the process.

"Parental supervision is very important for the better growth of a child. Children living in
incomplete families have more opportunities to do what they want and lack adequate parental
control. Some felt that children from fractured and incomplete families are more vulnerable to
sexual abuse than children from established family environments. Hunter concluded that children
living in single parent families are more vulnerable to sexual abuse than children from
established family environments.   Since separation and divorce take place in the home, children
are vulnerable to sexual assault. The findings of the study showed that children facing domestic
violence in their families often witness parental and caretaker sexual assault.

It is also found that "fathers who abuse their partners sexually are more likely to engage in
sexual abuse of their children than mothers." In retaliating against mothers for refusing their
conjugal rights, fathers sexually harass their daughters .15 Community It is the duty of every
family to bring up their children in accordance with the traditions and values of their society.
'Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) refers to the
balance between a child's best interests and community cultural traditions. The key contributors
to child sexual exploitation are some of the cultural patterns common in the culture. Culture
includes collective sense conveyed from one generation to the other as a result of which families
practise and follow various cultures in the society, and some of the factors lead to child sexual
abuse and exploitation. Child rearing activities and the impact of socialisation play an important
role in child sexual exploitation in a group. In a family and culture, children are vulnerable; their
voices are not always answered by adults. Children are still supposed to be obedient and to be
respectful of adults. In these conditions, the' perpetrator is promoted and proceeds to sexually
assault children without fear.' In schools, kids are vulnerable to sexual assault. This leads to the
victims of sexual assault experiencing numerous adverse effects. Educator-child relationships,
the physical atmosphere of the classroom, and social pressure are the circumstances that lead a
child to the effects of violence.The other factors contributing to child sexual abuse in community
are child marriages, myths and prejudices about child sexual abuse and virginity testing.

3. Society

Technological and media advances allow easy access to sexually explicit materials and provide
greater opportunities for people to commit sexual offences against children." There is a growing
issue now that children's pornographic images are readily available for download from different
media. WS found that the advent of technology has altered the everyday life of teenagers. There
is access to computers, the internet, mobile phones, video games, and many other types of
modern technology for many children. Despite the fact that these have certain advantages for
learners, it becomes a danger for them to use these media, as most adults know16.

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Media have beneficial effects and can be used to acquire information, but it has also been
described as a danger when children are unable to understand the difference between acceptable
and unacceptable materials and are able to access sexually explicit content. The Internet has now
turned out to be a powerful way of spreading sexuality. Facebook and other social media
networks are becoming the dominant sites for children and adults to access pornographic
materials that are illegal for children every day. It was clarified that children use an innocuous
word to search for information or photos in their "process of doing homework," often it will take
them to sites linked to sexual explicit content. Children are interested in sex in their growth
stage, and during their adolescence they could also deliberately access pornographic content on
the internet. Sexually explicit content can "put children at risk of obesity, decrease time for
healthy growth such as playing, and also cause poor peer relationships." Based on the above
explanations, it must be concluded that children lack the experiences of real life to grasp the truth
and perceptions of information acquired by media exposure. Children are more vulnerable to
sexual exploitation because they are unable to discern between fantasy and reality.

LITERATURE REVEIW

BOOK REVIEW I

BOOK : Understanding Child sexual abuse

AUTHOR: Edward L Rowan

PUBLICATION: University press of Mississippi

YEAR: 2006

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In the book “Understanding Child Sexual Abuse” discusses the dynamics, consequences,
recovery services, and prevention strategies available to both the children and the adults involved
in child sexual abuse. Retired psychiatrist Rowan addresses all sides of society's sexual assault
problem: the victim and the perpetrator. The counselling group may benefit best from his
approach; victims of child sexual exploitation or their parents may find certain topics
challenging. Rowan, for example, discusses a 1998 article by researchers from Temple
University that concludes that while child sexual exploitation was morally and legally wrong and
clearly damaging to some people, it was not necessarily and ultimately harmful. Unless there are
complications, the organisation recommended that child sexual abuse be referred to as "adult-
child sex." On the other hand, Rowan does an excellent job of explaining potentially significant
and permanent improvements in the ability of survivors to regulate emotion, intellect and
memory. He also discusses victims' therapy methods, including medication; standard
psychotherapy; cognitive behaviour. Chapters in this book provide: Focus and advice on finding
therapy Pathways for victims to seek renewed, stable, and efficient lives Options available for
offender recovery Personality characteristics common to abusers Survivor reactions to violence
trauma Work outlines are now underway to understand neurobiological dimensions of disorders
that can contribute to abuse.17 One chapter covers the care of the criminal, concluding with the
disappointing news that the rate of recidivism does not appear to be diminished by treatment.
Prevention is an equally elusive objective, with Rowan encouraging parents to educate children
on the danger of sexual assault, emphasising the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts' new
prevention initiatives.

BOOK REVIEW 2

BOOK : When your child has been molested : A parents guide to healing and recovery
AUTHOR: Kathryn; Joyce case potter
PUBLICATION: Jossey-Bass
YEAR: 1998
This is a comprehensively updated and improved edition of the best-selling guide for injured
children's families. This revised edition, first released in 1988, provides the latest research and
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knowledge on the essence and effect of disturbances on boys and girls, as well as validated
rehabilitation, healing and recovery strategies. The authors provide information, comfort and
guidance using everyday language about how to put the pieces back together again after a child
has sexually been upset.18 "Richland County Children's Services, Mansfield, Ohio "Because of
their profound sense of abuse and deception, sexual child exploitation often paralyses families,
but[the book has a working solution! It both decreases shame and empowers parents to take
constructive action by providing them with concrete facts and solutions that will both protect
their child and support them. O'Gorman, psychologist, Berkshire Farm and Youth Services
Clinical Officer, and co-author, [Book's] expert advice helps families cope successfully with the
problem and cures all those impacted by it."-Sue Rusche, Founder, President and CEO, National
Families in Action, and co-author, Fake Messengers.-Sue Rusche, President and CEO, National
Families in Action. This book gives you knowledge and advice. When caregivers know the facts
and apply the strategies suggested here they are better prepared to collaborate with the
authorities, to cope with personal anxieties and to engage in the healing of their children.19This
book can be read from the beginning to the end or by the subject of the chapter. For instance, you
might want to skip to the formal, or forensic, interview section if a child abuse report has already
been made. Or you might want to read immediately about how you can help your child recover, a
topic covered in Chapter Ten.

BOOK REVIEW 3

BOOK : Young Men Surviving Child Sexual Abuse: Research Stories and Lessons for
Therapeutic Practice

AUTHOR: Andrew Durham

PUBLICATION: Wiley
YEAR: 2003

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19
https://www.questia.com/library/106428875/when-your-child-has-been-molested-a-parents-guide
Young Men Surviving Child Sexual Exploitation explores a field of child security that is largely
neglected: boys' sexual abuse. A consultant social work specialist, Andrew Durham, explains his
original research with young men near or in the midst of adolescence. The book provides a
detailed plot, as the approach to life storeys helps young men to theorise their own experience
and to consider how and why sexual abuse of children has had a negative and long-lasting effect
on their everyday lives. The author provides a theoretical framework for examining male sexual
harassment alongside the study accounts, as well as a broad variety of available practise
materials.20 For those dealing with kids and young people who are healing from child sexual
violence, this book would be invaluable.

BOOK REVIEW 4

BOOK : Bitter Chocolate: Child Sexual Abuse In India

AUTHOR: Pinki Virani

PUBLICATION: Penguin India
YEAR: 2000 The book 'Bitter Chocolate: Child Sexual Exploitation In India' by Pinki
Virani is a book that challenges our concepts of home honour and morality. Some time, somehow
the conspiracy of silence surrounding Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Indian homes had to be
broken. This path-breaking novel, the first of its kind in the country and subcontinent, aims to
give a powerful voice to the sexually abused kid. It provides damning revelations about men and
some women who in middle and upper-class families sexually harass their girls, then silence
them into submission.

This book reveals that at least 20 percent of girls and boys under the age of 16 are regularly
sexually abused, based on surveys, accounts and research; half of them are in their own homes,
by adults who trust the child. In Bitter Chocolate, journalist Pinki Virani travels around the world

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to document the testimony of police, physicians, child psychiatrists, mental wellness
professionals, social workers, lawyers, and traumatised victims themselves.
The book opens with an account, brave and devoid of self-pity, of the experience of the author
himself. Pinki Virani continues with her insightful analysis of the issue in three notebooks, going
beyond the blame. The first is what constitutes CSA, its debilitating after-effects that haunt
victims as they grow into adulthood, why and how this happens. In two real-life accounts of
women betrayed as children by the men of their families, the second notebook discusses these
implications.21 The third offers realistic solutions on how to fight CSA, including the legal
system, the parent and their infant. A separate chapter deals with people who have never been
subjected to sexual exploitation as children before. Plus: a nationally organised support line.
Accessible and thorough, Bitter Chocolate is written for the young parent and guardian, principal
and teacher, judge and police, lawyer and public prosecutor, teenager and tomorrow's resident.

BOOK REVIEW 5
BOOK : Child Sexual Abuse and Protection Laws in India 

AUTHOR: Debarati Halder

PUBLICATION: Sage publication

YEAR: 2018

Child Sexual Abuse and Protection Acts in India presents in-depth study on child sexual abuse in
India, related protection legislation and deficiencies in existing preventive measures. The book
contains chapters on the essence of sexual crimes, the hypotheses that describe why they occur,
and the laws that govern them. It addresses the role of the judiciary and criminal justice
machinery in the prevention of child exploitation and cyber-sexual crimes. This book discusses
current legal procedural provisions, case law legislation, a variety of emerging frameworks for
dealing with juvenile delinquency, rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, various jurisprudential
understandings and judicial review of the issue. The book promotes the use of creative methods,
21
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/727587.Bitter_Chocolate
such as the holistic jurisprudential method, to the sentencing and recovery of juvenile victims
and criminals in order to ensure their physical and psychological well-being.

BOOK REVIEW 6

BOOK : Childhood Betrayed: Child Abuse and Neglect in India: An Indian treatise on
child abuse and neglect

AUTHOR: Loveleen Kacker

PUBLICATION: Harper India

YEAR: 2015

No social issue is as universal as child oppression. No slave has ever been as much of his
master's property as his parent's boy. Never have human rights been so ignored as in the case of a
boy. -Maria Montessori In India, where stones and trees are worshipped, children are regularly
beaten, ignored and abused. Daily news is full of reports of violence and neglect, mostly in the
name of discipline or defence.22 Case Nithari, feticide, child marriage and sexual harassment of
minors-Statistics are terrifying. Lakhs of children are deprived of their childhood, and India is
doing nothing to fix that.
Although education and nutrition are now recognised by the government as important children's
entitlements, there has been little legislation or effort to safeguard their most fundamental rights.
Child safety is still nowhere on the radar of the country. Loveleen Kacker has spent many years
of study writing this cogent and influential volume on why child violence and neglect is taking
place and how it affects children in India. She discusses physical, emotional and sexual violence,
as well as neglect and abuse, particularly of a girl child. Bringing real-life instances and case
studies along with Kacker's own work on children's rights is a roadmap for parents, policy
makers, school teachers, paediatricians, childcare specialists-indeed, everyone with an interest in
the welfare of minors. A timely and much-needed contribution to the literature on children's
rights, Childhood Deceived is also a call for change-no, a call to arms.
22
https://www.amazon.in/Childhood-Betrayed-Neglect-treatise-neglect/dp/9350297035/
ARTICLE REVIEW 7

BOOK : Child sexual abuse Myths: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Individual Difference

AUTHOR: Cromer and Goldsmith

PUBLICATION: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
YEAR: 2010

Cromer & Goldsmith (2010) looked at attitudes, opinions and disagreements regarding child
sexual abuse theories. This study analysed existing evidence on the prevalence of myths,
empirical research that disputes or supports categories of myths, and considerations of cultural
contexts and consequences. The authors argued that child sexual abuse theories are inaccurate
assumptions about sexual abuse, victims and perpetrators. Links between acceptance of theories,
reactions to disclosure, legal actions and resulting psychological and health consequences for
victims illustrate the significance of recognising child sexual abuse myths." Furthermore, on the
basis of the google search, the authors categorised the myths of the CSA in four groups, namely
a) minimization or distortion of the degree of harm caused to children by sexual abuse, (b) denial
of the extent of child sexual abuse, (c) the propagation of the perpetrator's guilt and (d) the
perpetrator's stereotyping.'

ARTICLE REVIEW 8

BOOK : Child sexual abuse: Raising awareness and empathy is essential to promote new
public health responses

AUTHOR: Mathews & Collin-Vézina

PUBLICATION: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
YEAR: 2016
Mathews & Collin-Vézina (2016)23 called for the need to "promote awareness of child sexual
abuse and compassion towards victims in order to enhance healthy behaviour and responses
between individuals, Institutions and communities." In addition, parents, providers and
professionals in the fields of health, education, law enforcement and other youth groups can be
seen as primary targets for CSA recognition so that they can recognise cases of harassment at an
early stage and respond to disclosures of sexual abuse. This paper also addresses two critical
problems in reacting to child sexual exploitation. First the institutional and social security of
children remains poor, and secondly, in all cultures, most victims do not share their sexual
encounter with health, welfare or legal agencies.'

ARTICLE REVIEW 9

BOOK : Child sexual abuse: Raising awareness and empathy is essential to promote new
public health responses

AUTHOR: Kacker

YEAR: 2007
A major research report on child abuse conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development in 13 countries found that India has the world's largest number of sexually
exploited children under the age of 16 raped every 155th minute and children under the age of 10
raped every 13th hour.

In 90 per cent of child abuse cases, someone the child knows and trusts, a neighbour, a close
relative, a family member and even a father is an abuser, 21 per cent of respondents witnessed
serious types of sexual abuse, 57.3 per cent were boys and 42.7 per cent were girls. The findings
also showed that about 40% were between 5 and 12 years of age and about half of the
respondents encountered other types of violence."

ARTICLE REVIEW 10

23
Researchgate.com
BOOK : Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in India : Perspectives Frontiers and Legal
Protection

AUTHOR: Subhash Chandra Singh

YEAR: 2007
The book explores the diversity of viewpoints on child sexual abuse and exploitation in India and
draws some of the lessons that can be learnt from studies in this area in other countries The thesis
starts with an overview of conceptual problems, considering the various contexts in which child
sexual abuse and exploitation take place, and outlines the regional and national legacies. The
research focuses specifically on girls and relates to both sexual abuse and commercial sexual
exploitation. Current literature on sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children in
India, while voluminous, may be narrowly categorised as a fragmented documentation. This
book provides an integrated and thorough study of the problem involving a variety of
stakeholders. 24The trends and dynamics of this unethical and illegal activity in India are
discovered by the author, who has critically analysed various foreign and national law policies
and government response initiatives of the judiciary police and civil society organisations to
resolve the issueFirstly grounded in the human rights approach, the book analyses child
protection laws and policies and issues. The book deals extensively with the growth and
advancement of child protection laws relating to sexual harassment and exploitation It includes a
rich array of legal materials providing an on-the-ground reality of how the wealth of legal
materials provided for the book would certainly be of great benefit to all those active in the anti-
trafficking movement.

It will be much more beneficial for those who frame legislation and policies to deal with it More
significantly, it will increase awareness of the issue and promote public intervention. This study
remains sensitive to the needs of all stakeholders in the field of prevention of sexual harassment
and commercial sexual exploitation of children, in particular those in the field of legal reform
and improvement of the situation of Indian children.

PREVALENCE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

24
https://www.abebooks.com/Child-Sexual-Abuse-Exploitation-India-Perspectives/
Indian Scenario of Child Sexual Abuse

India is the world's second most populous country. According to the 2011 census, the total
population of India is 121.1 crores, with 13.59 per cent (16.45 Cr) of the total population in the
0-6 year age group and 30.76 per cent (37.24 Cr) in the 0-14 year age group.25 The subject of
child sexual exploitation is prohibited in India. "Gender and sexuality are not considered to be
subjects for conversation with young people by the overwhelmingly traditional conservative
family and community structure in most parts of the world. So children don't even know they're
being violated. Deep fear has always driven Indian families to keep their girls and their virginity
protected, and many kinds of social and cultural traditions have been developed to ensure this. It
is said that there is a 'conspiracy of silence' around child sexual exploitation. This fear, however
does not necessarily apply to boys." Crime against children in India has reportedly risen over the
years. In India, every second child is subjected to one form or another of sexual abuse, and every
fifth child faces vital forms of sexual abuse. Social and cultural dislocation and ineffective
parenting arrangements could raise the likelihood of family violence for adolescents in
developed countries as well."

In India, the only information available on an annual basis for reporting crimes against children
is the crime data maintained by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). Only those crimes
that can be registered under the IPC or the Special and Local Laws (SLL) are reported.

According to the National Crime Records Office (NCRB) survey, it is troubling that in 2016,
crimes against children recorded a rise of 13.5 per cent compared to the previous year (2015),
with a total of 1,069,958 cases of crimes against children reported in the country in 2016
compared to 94,172 cases reported in 2015."

The following crimes are reported under the IPC in the 2016 report of the NCRB; murder
(1,640), abduction of child suicide (41), attempted murder (213), infanticide (93), feticide (144),
exposure and abandonment (811), kidnapping and abduction (54723), trafficking of human

25
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413451/
beings (340), sale of minors for prostitution (122), purchase of minors for prostitution (7) and
unnatural crimes (1247).26

36022 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, 2253 cases under
the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, 56 cases under the Unethical
Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, 204 cases under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation Act,
1986, 326 cases under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 1986, 326 cases under the
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, has been registered.  

According to NCRB, Crime in India (2016) Kidnapping and abduction of children is the highest
recorded category of child crime, accounting for more than half of all crimes in 2016. Cases
registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act 2012 (POCSO) were
estimated to be as high as 34.4%.

Rape is also a wide category of child abuse, accounting for more than 18 per cent of all child
crime. Child rape cases have risen by over 82 percent compared to 2015, according to NCRB
data for 2016. Such a sharp rise in sexual assaults on children has been reported for the first time.
In Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the highest increase has been
reported.27 It should be remembered that the statistics for the NCRB only reflect the number of
crimes reported by the police. The actual condition on the ground may or may not reflect these.

Legal provisions related to child sexual abuse

Until 2012, the only sexual crimes against children acknowledged by the law had been protected
by three parts of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which were not unique to children. The only
crimes documented were rape (sexual intercourse without consent—section 376), the
exaggeration of the modesty of a woman (unspecified actions—section 354) and immoral acts
described as "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal"
(anal sex, homosexuality or bestiality—section 377). As a result, other types of non-penetrative
sexual abuse, harassment and exploitation have not been specifically identified as crimes and

26
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413451/
27
https://capmh.biomedcentral.com/articles/
have thus not been registered (assuming they have been reported). Increased advocacy in relation
to child protection issues in the media and public discourse may partly account for the passage of
a special law entitled 'The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) 2012.' by the
Government of India.28

Until 2012, three parts of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were not specific to children and were the
only sexual crimes against children recognised by the law. Rape (sexual intercourse without
consent, section 376), outrageous modesty of a woman (unspecified acts, section 354) and
unnatural acts described as "carnal intercourse with any man, woman or animal against the order
of nature" (anal sex, homosexuality or bestiality, section 377) were the only crimes recorded. As
a result, other types of non-penetrative sexual attacks, abuse and exploitation have not been
specifically identified and thus not registered (assuming they have been reported) as crimes.
Increased advocacy in the media and public discourse on child protection issues could partially
account for the adoption by the Government of India of a special law named 'The Protection of
Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) 2012 The Act criminalises sexual abuse, sexual
exploitation and pornography involving children (under 18 years of age) and mandates the
creation of special courts to expedite the prosecution of such crimes.

As per the NCRB data 2015 Maharashtra is one of the most developed countries in India and
one of the top three states with the highest registered child rape rates from 2001 to 2013 (NCRB
2015).

28
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413451/
Since 2001, there has been a slow but steady increase in reported cases of sexual assault, i.e.
child rape.29 While there is no evidence that the incidence of CSA has risen globally over the
years , there is a possibility that increased reporting in India over this time may be the result of
increased public knowledge, education and a more responsive criminal justice response to CSA.
Following the enactment of POCSO, the number of rape-registered offences increased by 44%
nationally and 68% within one year in the state of Maharashtra, thus supporting the hypothesis.
Further the detailed Maharashtra figures provided by the second author indicate that the total
recorded crime under POCSO was 2,540 in 2013 and 3,858 in 2014, an increase of 51% in 1
year.

Sailent features of the POSCO Act

Second, the POSCO Act is gender neutral. Under this Act, the consent of the child is immaterial.

Second, this legislation requires the documentation and documenting of sexual assault against a
child. Section 19(1) of the POSCO Act requires the reporting of an offence.

Third, this Act sets out the sexual offences committed against a child. Section 3 of the POSCO
Act states: "A person is said to have committed "penetrative sexual abuse" if (a) "he penetrates
his or her penis to some degree into the vagina, mouth, urethra, or anus of a child or induces the
child to do so with him or any other person;" since the words "any other person" are used in
Section 3(a), women may also be offenders or victims under Section 3(a)."

Fourthly, it also gives security to minors in the judicial process.

Fifthly, 'Section 5(j): 30'Whoever commits a penetrating sexual assault on a child which in the
case of a female child, causes the child to become pregnant as a result of sexual assault.'
However, even in these situations, women may be joined as abettors under Section 16 of the
POCSO Act.'

29
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413451/
30
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/POCSO-ModelGuidelines.pdf
Provisions of POSCO

1) As soon as the matter is reported to the police officer within 24 hours, the case should be
referred to the Child Protection Committee.

(2) The declaration of the minor should be registered in his or her home or in his or her favourite
place by a female police officer only.

(3) This Act also provides for a speedy trial and confidentiality guarantee in camera proceedings.

(4) The minor should not be called regularly to court. He or she may be testified by a video from
home.

5) The medical examination must be carried out by a female doctor, in the presence of a person
whom a minor trusts. Consent of parents or guardians, if present, otherwise the consent of a
medical professional on behalf of a minor shall be necessary31.

6) The defence should refer the entire issue to the judge and not be allowed to ask the juvenile
any offensive or character-related questions of assassination.

7) During the recording of the evidence, the minor should not be revealed to the accused in any
way.

Punishment enumerated under POSCO

1. For penetrative sexual abuse, a term of not less than seven years compounded to life
imprisonment along with a fine under section 4 of the POSCO Act.32

2. An aggravated sexual abuse by a person of confidence or an official such as a police officer

under section 6 will be prosecuted for not less than 10 years and extended to a strict life
imprisonment and fine.

31
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/19457972_Impact_of_Child_Sexual_Abuse
32
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/POCSO-ModelGuidelines.pdf
3. Non-penetrating sexual harassment by a person with a sexual motive must be prosecuted for
not less than three years and extended to 5 years in prison pursuant to section 10 of the POSCO
Act.

4. Under section 10, if an aggravated sexual assault is committed by an official or a person of

confidence, it shall be punished for not less than five years and extended to seven years of
imprisonment.

5. For sexual assault under section 12 of the POSCO Act, a sentence of 3 years is prescribed
along with a fine.

'As set out in section 42 of the POCSO Act, 33 where an act or omission constitutes an offence
punishable under this Act and also under sections 166A, 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 370, 370A,
375, 376A, 376C, 376D, 376E or section 509 of the Indian Criminal Code, the offender found
guilty of such an offence shall be liable to prosecute the offender for any act or omission which
is currently in force, notwithstanding the provisions of any statute.

CASE STUDY BASED ON -SATYAMEV JAYATE EPISODE

Grisly tales of child sex abuse

A number of such victims, their family members, experts and social workers, who came to the
show on Sunday to recount their horrible experiences of being raped, sodomised and silenced by
the threat of physical harm, were addressed in the episode. The tone of the show was emotional,
but surprisingly light, considering the gravity of the subject, with the victims facing the camera
straight and even joking about the host who often tears up. Anamika's storey, who was sexually
assaulted by her teacher, illustrated the importance of parents listening to their children and
trusting them.34

33
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/POCSO-ModelGuidelines.pdf
34
http://www.satyamevjayate.in/child-sexual-abuse/childsexualabuse
In 2007, the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the NGO Prayas, in cooperation
with Unicef and Save the Children, conducted a survey in 13 countries with a sample size of
12,447. The shocking details were released to the whole world.

53.22 percent of children reported having witnessed one or more forms of sexual harassment, the
study found. The highest percentage of such incidents at the time was registered in Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Delhi. The perpetrators were known to the child or in a position of
trust and responsibility in 50 percent of cases, and most kids did not report the matter to anyone.
One of the largest longitudinal studies of its kind in the world is the National Child Abuse Study.
Furthermore, this report complements the 2006 United Nations Secretary-Global General Study
on Child Violence.

The case of Cinderella Prakash and Harish Iyer

When she was 12 years old, Cinderella Prakash was raped by a 55-year-old man she had trusted.
Not only was she not able to tell her mother about her tormentor, she had been running away
from him for years. Harish Iyer has spent 11 years in trauma, being abused as a child by a man
he trusted. 35He was sodomised, and he was not taken seriously when after much deliberation, he
went to his mother. Harish's mother was called by Aamir to confess that she was wrong not to
believe her boy.

It is not often pointed out, but according to the 2007 survey, 53 percent of children who have
undergone child sexual exploitation were boys, with the intention of obtaining a better
understanding of the phenomenon of child abuse in order to encourage the development of
appropriate policies and programmes to resolve and track the problem of child abuse in India
effectively.

35
http://www.satyamevjayate.in/child-sexual-abuse/childsexualabuse.aspx
Trust your child

His tormentor threatened Harish with silence. Experts Anuja Gupta of RAHI NGO RAHI
(Recovering and Healing from Incest) spoke of child psychology behind the silence of abuse.
When they told them about some sexual assault, she encouraged parents to watch the show to
trust their children.36 She asked parents to "listen to your child, and apologise to your child for
letting this happen to him/her under your watch." Childline's Nishit Kumar spoke of the
infamous 2001 case at the Anchorage Shelters of sexual abuse of boys.

Nice touch, bad touch workshop for kids

To teach them about the importance of understanding sexual assault, naming perpetrators, and
trusting their parents when violence happens, Aamir held a 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' workshop
for children around the world. He taught the kids the importance of having a bodyguard or
someone they implicitly trusted to take care of them through interactivity and a series of
diagrams.37

36
https://www.news18.com/news/india/satyamev-jayate-grisly-tales-of-child-sex-abuse-

37
http://www.satyamevjayate.in/child-sexual-abuse/childsexualabuse.aspx
Conclusions

CSA is a grim fact that is highly prevalent in India and adversely affects health. Our literature
review emphasises the need to develop a common definition of CSA and a validated method of
measuring CSA across India. Furthermore, further in-depth CSA studies among general and
unique populations, such as commercial sex workers and MSM, are needed to develop effective
ecological models for the prevention and treatment of CSA that are sensitive in the Indian
context to the variety of vulnerabilities of children and adolescents. In addition, in order to
strengthen primary prevention measures, there is definitely a great need for more research on
child sexual abuse perpetrators, including more paedophilia information in India.

The study underscored the perception of child sexual exploitation among teenagers, illustrating
disparities in comprehension, knowledge, childhood sexual experiences and CSA prevention
among participants. Strengthening child sexual exploitation prevention programmes and services
that help children and families should be a first step in the prevention of sexual abuse of children.
Sustained community outreach and awareness programmes, through mass media communication,
are central to the prevention of child violence and neglect. The UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) have set a global human development agenda for 2015–2030. These priorities also
added two additional goals that identify child violence as a fundamental barrier to health and call
for concerted action.

Its first goal is to end child abuse and neglect, and its second objective is to eradicate all types of
violence against women and girls, including sexual exploitation." Raising students' knowledge
and understanding of child sexual abuse and educating them on methods to avoid sexual abuse
will support them in their future parenting.

Child sexual exploitation is a pervasive concern. Enormous studies have been undertaken to
understand the problem, to raise awareness among people about the effects of child sexual abuse
and to mobilise resources to resolve the devastating issue. Addressing the danger factors and
supporting investigations into child sexual exploitation can prevent children from being victims
of child sexual abuse. More work on child sexual exploitation should be conducted to fill the
gaps in research in the area of child safety. It is very important to raise understanding and
knowledge of child sexual exploitation among teenagers in order to minimise the number of
sexually exploited children in the future. Sexual education, which focuses on teaching children
self-protective measures to avoid violence, is helpful in preventing sexual abuse by cultivating
positive attitudes among adolescents. Sexual abuse will cause multiple psychological issues for
victims, increase children's understanding and knowledge and minimise the number of children
who have emotional and academic problems due to the trauma of child sexual abuse. At the
individual, institutional and community level, there is an hourly need to build victim-friendly
attitudes and knowledge of child sexual abuse, and there is a need to promote safe actions,
constructive responses and societal change in the process of preventing child sexual abuse.