New Delhi:
As the society struggles today with the fast happening changes, there are some issues which need immediate attention. Child sexual abuse is one of them. Our Indian society is quite uncomfortable subscribing to the idea that child sexual abuse is a harsh reality.
Most of us just want to gloss over the fact and as parents want to believe that child sexual abuse exists but in some distant corner of the world and the victim will never be my child.
There is an eerie silence too which is around the subject of CSA and most of the cases go unreported. Unless something of an extreme nature happens like the recent incident of 6-year-old being raped by her skating instructor in Bangalore's Vibgyor School.
As per police, she was raped on July 2 but parents didn’t know about this incident till the child was taken to hospital where doctor's disclosed the harsh truth and on July 14, police case was registered.
Post to the police case, we saw sea of protests in Bangalore against the school and government. Little child didn't know what had happened to her but thousands of people were on streets of Bangalore demanding justice for her.
We cannot expect too many checks and balances to ensure our child's safety but being alert on our own part can help reduce such incidents. The schools generally are trusted with the responsibility of well-being and growth of a child mentally and physically to a great extent but such incidents shake that trust.
These days there is a trend of full time jobs and part time parenting. A dangerous trend indeed, not spending enough time with children results in not noticing tell tale signs of abuse or risks of abuse.
A lot of debate has also been going around as whether to allow sex education for children or not. The debate seems totally flawed and unnecessary as the sexual being of child is something a child should be aware of, be it through parents or through schools. The levels of such awareness depending on the age of the subject may vary. But to debate its necessity is out rightly foolish and retrograde.
Moreover it is very necessary to realise that both sexes are vulnerable to CSA and both need equal protection, legislation can only help if the incidents are being reported.
The trust between children and their protectors need to be established and more open communication becomes priority. The schools should however conduct psychological tests before appointing teachers. This should be made mandatory through legislation. The policy makers should take note immediately. As a parent we also need to take responsibility on our shoulders and change the trend from part time parenting to full time parents.
