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A 2007 study by the Ministry of Women and Child Development revealed that 53% of children are sexually abused in India 1. Take a moment to let those statistics sink in. We are talking about one in every two children. Remember that this is a five-year-old study, and in the last five years, the number would have only gone disturbingly higher.
Most of us cringe, outrage, and become increasingly paranoid with each news report about a child being abused. However, the truth, unfortunately, is that a good many of us are under an illusionary cloud of assurance that “it won’t happen to my kid.” Let’s face it – no one really “wants” to prepare for child abuse. However, you must do so because children may be short of words and expressions to communicate to you about abuse, so it is your duty—as an adult and parent— to look for signs and help them.
Most of us define child abuse in a sexual nature. However, child abuse is not restricted to sexual abuse. Any kind of harm and mistreatment that is done intentionally to a child is considered child abuse. The following are the different kinds of child abuses:
Child abuse is NOT okay or eligible in any form, not even when you might assume it to be a minor one. This is because of the severity of the consequences – in extreme cases, it might lead to death, and in others, it can inflict physical injuries, and worse, emotional scars. These kids are more likely to:
The most brutal part of child abuse is that it is normally performed by someone the child knows – and trusts. It can be parents, siblings, other family members, family friends, teachers, or other school staff. This puts the child in a dilemma – he/she is left extremely confused to recognize an abuse from a trustful person. This, in turn, would result in hesitation and fear to speak up. This is why we, as parents, need to keep an eye on children’s bodies and behavior and recognize unspoken signs of abuse.
Below child abuse statistics will be an eye-opener for many of us:
It is difficult to catch signs of child abuse. This is because:
Apart from these signs in your child, you should also look for inappropriate or worrisome traits in the child’s caregiver or nanny, especially if they cannot explain or contradicts reasons for a child’s injury. This is important, especially if both the parents are working and the child is left to the care of nanny alone at home.
Though statistics seem grim and stories of abuse sound strange, the fact is that child abuse is largely preventable. However, we cannot expect our children to take charge of preventing child abuse- The charge has to be ours. It will be hard to abuse a child who knows about his body and are aware of the abuse. That is why it is so important to talk about body parts and touch to kids at a very early age. Though we teach our children to respect elders, we also need to make them confident that they should scream if an elder does something inappropriate or hurtful. And to protect our kids from pedophiles, we need to pay attention to a child’s behavior and statements – no matter how vague and fragmented. As parents, we need to investigate and ensure our best efforts. Our first kind words, without making the child fearful, anxious, or sad, will set the child on the road to recovery.
The first and most important step is to recognize and accept
However rational you are as a parent, your child being abused can shake you and make you say and do things that you otherwise wouldn’t. It is important that you cope up and put up a brave face for your child’s sake.
With reports on child abuse on the rise, it is important to equip yourself and the child to prevent potential abuse or avoid an abusive situation.
You should not tolerate any kind of child abuse under any circumstances. More so if your child has been sexually abused. In 2012, the Indian parliament passed the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), which in many unique ways try to protect a child who has been abused while at the same time punishing the perpetrators of the crime. One salient feature of the act is that it has made it illegal not to report a child sexual abuse. If your child complains of abuse, you should either contact an NGO who specializes in child abuse or contact the nearest police station.
Always remember, there is no EXCUSE to ABUSE.
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