Myth: Child sex abuse , A western Phenomenon

Facts collected from surverys and researches show that that 69% of Kids have been subject to some form of sexual abuse before they reach 16.That makes 2 out of 3 kids is sexually abused in India but less than 1 in 10 victims speak about it.The offenders aren't usually strangers or criminals .It happens right under the parent's nose,In their own house, by person who are trusted by the kid,family and even part of the family (Grand father,uncle,aunty,cousins etc) . Boys are equally subjected to the sex abuse as with the girls.Shocking fact is the abuse starts as early as the age of 5.

RAHI, a Delhi-based organisation that provides support to victims of sexual abuse, reports that of the 1,000 upper and higher-middle class college students interviewed, 76 per cent had been abused as children, 31 per cent by someone known to the family and 40 per cent by a family member, and 50 per cent of them before the age of 12 Source:Hinduonnet

People are still not ready to battle this long hidden issue .First we need to acknowledge the problem ,then comes doing something about it. It's time we woke up and realized our children need protection.As an adult it is our responsiblity to educate and enlighten kids about the issue helping them distinguish between “good” and “bad” touch , It does not matter what the intention of the other person what matters is how the child feels about it even if it is casual touch.

Quoting Dr Preethi, A child Psychiartist dealing with child abuse "Silence does not mean all is fine with the child." A child's silence can be eloquent. Only, if we care to listen"

Tulir , A center for the prevention and healing of child sex abuse is doing a god job is bringing the awareness about the 'hushed victims'.

How can we keep our children safe from sex offenders? (Source:TULIR- Centre for the Prevention and Healing Child Sexual Abuse.)
We need to teach children about Personal Safety. We, as adults, also need to educate ourselves about sexual abuse and the risk factors or warning signs of sexually abusing behaviors. Here are some things that you can do to prevent the sexual abuse of a child you know.
Adults need to:
1.Teach children to trust their feelings and that it is OK to say "no" when someone they know and care about does something they do not like.
2.Set and respect family boundaries.
3.Speak up when "warning sign" behaviors are seen or reported.
4.Get comfortable talking about difficult topics such as sexual abuse and saying the proper names of body parts before teaching them to children.
5.Instruct children the differences between Safe touch and Unsafe touch and that secrets about touching are not OK. Children also need to understand that people they know could be capable of doing hurtful things.
6.Encourage affirm and acknowledge a child's opinions and feelings - giving them a sense of self esteem and confidence.
7.Involve your child in setting up a safety plan that is easy to remember.
8. List for yourself and your child whom to call for advice, information, and help.

Please share your thoughts on this

 

Aadhumom,Vishalini3,asha_karthik,mstrue,Godschild
Thanks for all the replies

I had meant to continue the post but owing to my laptop failure and hurry-burry of preparing for my official trip I could not do so. So much has been said and done but the fact remains that we are (At least I was) hesitant to discuss about the CSA . Everybody talks about STRANGER-IN-THE-DARK and means of protecting our boys and gals from these offenders etc . But when it comes to family and extended family we prefer to keep our mouth mum. We take so much care to protect our little ones from the strangers but do we have same awareness when it comes to dear and near ones. Statistics says 60% of the offenders are close trusted acquaintances family friends, coaches, teachers, servants etc ,30% is relatives (Father, grandfather, mother ,uncle, aunty, cousins) and strangers form about 10% of the offenders .We believe, rather want to believe that it does not happen in our family and friend circle.

Very next day I posted this thread I read an incident where a father had been molesting his own child unknown to her mother for some years and killed her when she became pregnant.
How is it that a mother is not able to find out when it is happening right under her nose or why is it that kid is not able to share these? How do we respond/help someone when they share? How do we help them heal?

Please share your thoughts on these lines

 

Varloo,
Agree very much . Even when the topic comes in open discussion in close circle people seldom talk

Koodos for you for taking up to the mgmt:thumbsup

Good that your son is not studying there,Such a irreponsible management.
As Varloo suggested spread the word among other parents and ask them to confront the mgmt.It is our social responsiblity and more important since it is a school