Child sexual abuse is perhaps the darkest reality of India. The fact that most of these incidents go unnoticed because kids are scared to report them has made the situation even grimmer.
So in order to help children come out and file a complaint in anonymity, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is currently working on an ‘e-dropbox.’
It has two features:
- This will help children file a complaint about any form of sexual abuse, harassment or molestation at home, in school or even at tuitions.
- It will use simple pictures, language and icons so that children can easily file the complaint
Speaking about the initiative, WCD minister Maneka Gandhi told a daily, "This is another step in our fight against abuse and an attempt to increase the Laxman Rekha around children.''
This e-dropbox will soon be hosted on the website of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Meanwhile, the commission is currently designing the icons and working on its response system.
Inspiration behind e-dropbox
The inspiration behind e-dropbox was a project by the Delhi Police called ‘Operation Nirbheek.’
Under this project, complaint boxes were installed in various schools. This allowed children, especially girls to file a complaint easily.
Reportedly, the police was able to file several; FIRs based on these complaints. It highlighted the prevalence of this menace inside the safe sanctity of schools.
Cases of child sexual abuse in India
As per data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the numbers of registered child rapes have risen by 151 percent - from 5,484 in 2009 to 13,766 in 2014.
And the situation is at its worst in metropolitans including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Continue reading to know the signs of sexual abuse in kids of various ages.
Signs of child sexual abuse (age-wise)
As a parent, you must pay attention to your child’s daily behaviour. There are subtle and sometimes violent signs of sexual abuse that every parent must know.
#1 From birth till 3 years
Usually, signs can be divided based on the ages of kids. For instance, a child from birth till the age of 3 years may exhibit the following signs of sexual abuse:
- Fear
- Excessive crying
- Feeding and bowel problems
- Sleeping problems
- Failure to thrive
#2 Between the ages of 2 and 9
A child between the ages of 2 and 9 years may exhibit the following signs of sexual abuse:
- Fear of certain things: people, places, activities
- Behavioral regression: bed wetting, stranger anxiety
- Trouble eating or changes in appetite
- Nightmares, trouble sleeping
- Withdrawal from loved ones
- Feeling shameful or guilty
- Masturbating excessively
- Victimizing others
- Fear of recurring attack
#2 Adolescent child till teenage years
An adolescent child on the other hand (above 9 years of age) may exhibit the given signs of sexual abuse:
- Depression
- Nightmares, trouble sleeping
- Poor academic results
- Promiscuous activity
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Signs of aggression
- Running away from home
- Fear of recurring attack
- Changes in appetite
- Early pregnancy
- Suicidal thoughts and gestures
- Overly mature behavior
- Exuding anger toward being forced into situations out of their control
Keep a close eye on these signs to understand if your child is a victim of sexual abuse.
Read: Child Sexual Abuse: Teach your kids about 'The Underwear Rule'
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