About CSA

What is Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Child sexual abuse (CSA) is the involvement when someone engages in any sexual act or behavior (physical, verbal, visual, or online) with a child for sexual pleasure. The abuser can be of any age, gender, or background. Abuse doesn’t always involve force or touching—any sexual intent towards a child is abuse, including harmful online actions like sharing explicit content, which is a punishable crime in India.

Under the POCSO Act 2012, anyone under 18 cannot give consent to sexual activity. Shockingly, 96% of children in India experience CSA, with 94% of cases involving known or trusted individuals like family members or neighbors (NCRB 2019 data).

Types of Sexual Abuse

Contact Abuse

  • Rape or attempt to rape
  • Touching private parts

Non-Contact Abuse

  • Making sexual gestures or remarks
  • Showing private parts

Online Abuse

  • Asking for naked pictures
  • Sexual chat or video calls

Many people believe that an act must be violent to be abusive and Child sexual abuse is often kept under the carpet due to societal stigma, shame, and guilt associated with discussing the topic. Many victims internalize feelings of responsibility for the abuse, which can lead to silence and secrecy. Additionally, there is often a fear of disbelief or judgment from others, particularly in cultures where such issues are not openly discussed. This stigma can hinder victims from seeking help and communities from effectively addressing the problem.

These effects can lead to serious and lasting impact on a child. It can lead to emotional issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Children might act out or withdraw from others, struggle in school, and have trouble trusting people. They may also face physical health issues and find it hard to form healthy relationships later in life. Parents may feel guilty, helpless, and overwhelmed, trying to help their children while dealing with their own emotions. In the community, CSA creates fear and stigma, leading to a lack of open conversations and preventive actions, which can keep the problem hidden and ongoing.

To combat these issues, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Juvenile Justice Act, and the POCSO Act work to safeguard children. The IPC defines offenses against children, including kidnapping and sexual crimes. The Juvenile Justice Act emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment for young offenders, while the POCSO Act specifically targets sexual crimes against minors, establishing clear procedures for reporting and investigation. Together, these laws create a protective framework prioritizing children's rights, safety, and well-being.

Despite numerous interventions by civil society organizations and the legislations, new cases continue to occur daily and according to the NCRB report, this year there is a rise of 8.7%. There is an urgent need for awareness on the prevention of child sexual abuse. Sankalp as a first of its kind is raising awareness in the public domain by calling people for the run so that people will start talking and thinking about it and create safer communities for children.

Each step counts… Join the run and support this Noble cause, creating safe net for over 200,000 children.

 

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