Birthdays are special, especially for children. It is supposed to be the most cheerful and special day for every kid. It provides them with the exclusive opportunity to ask for gifts and treats. But imagine a situation where a young boy, nearly 5 years old, must reveal the terrible trauma he had been going through on this special day. He did not ask for a gift from his mother. But all he wanted was an escape from the horrifying abuse he had been enduring.
On that day, the mother noticed that the boy was not cheerful and looked quite unpleasant, which was uncommon on a birthday. Confused, the mother gently spoke to the boy, following which he revealed something quite horrifying.
The young kid had reportedly informed his mother that he had been sexually abused multiple times by his father. He also had stated that he did not report the incident out of fear of his father. Because the 32-year-old father had threatened to throw him off the roof if he revealed the incident to his mother. On hearing this, the mother, who was left completely shocked, filed a complaint with the police. Eventually, the father was arrested under the POCSO Act.
It is neither the streets nor any secluded place that witnesses some of the gravest crimes. Sometimes, even the most terrifying crimes happen within the confines of the house. At a time when crimes and abuses are dangerously increasing in society, we tend to forget that even the home or house could equally be disappointing. This is because sometimes, trust could turn into the most merciless betrayal. Trust, as we know, is a part and parcel of our lives. It is this very vulnerable factor that proves disadvantageous for kids.
As per the recent records of the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 7 men have reportedly been the victims of sexual abuse in their childhood. What is even worse is that most of these incidents either go unreported or lack enough support. Also, the abusers are mostly family members, including parents. The same happened in this recent child abuse case reported in the Satara area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Majority in Underreported Cases
This incident raises an alarming reminder regarding child safety. We live in an era where protectors turn into abusers, and the cosy, comforting safety of home becomes the place of abuse. This is the most troubling factor in such cases. The kids are silenced, and in certain cases, the young age of the kids hinders them from realising they are being exploited. The outer world assumes the child to be in safe hands, only to find that those were the real inhumane hands. Because of this assumption, help from outside remains unreachable as well.
According to the WHO, only a fraction of the abuses come to light. Fear, trauma, lack of care and difficulty in smoother communication silence those innocent voices. In addition to this, dependency on the abuser itself worsens the abuse. There are similar cases where guardians refrain from filing a complaint due to societal pressure.
Consequences
Such suppressions and traumas, when not addressed at the right time, create a deep impact on the kids. As they grow up, this could be reflected in several key areas, including behaviour, decision-making, and sometimes even proper communication. Other possible consequences are depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Apart from this lifelong mental torture, many victims struggle with physical hardships, which include infections, other diseases and injuries, resulting from the abuse. The Indian National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes, and 53% of children report abuse by a parent, relative or school teacher. With such a huge number, around half of an entire generation is impacted. When we say that the future of a nation is in the hands of its youth, we fail to understand that the past of the same generation is traumatic, and it is with these unhealed wounds that they grow up.
Elders must be aware of the differences in the actions and behaviours of a child, which could be a call for help, and that quick action is necessary. The legal framework of our nation has the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), enacted in 2012. This act, through its child-friendly approach, addresses sexual offences against children. Furthermore, it is essential to create awareness among the children about the issue and its further steps. Knowledge of Child Helpline numbers could be helpful to a great extent for the kids old enough to report the complaints themselves.
However, prevention is always better than a cure. Hence, it must be the collective responsibility of parents, institutions, and elders to ensure the safety of kids and that they are always heard and protected. Like every other change, this too must begin at home, as the closed doors and the people within are no longer safe for the young, innocent souls.
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