Every 15 minutes a child is sexually harassed in India. Child sexual abuse (CSA) and harassment are urgent and critical issues demanding immediate attention and decisive action. Shockingly, one in every two children in India experiences some form of sexual abuse, according to recent statistics. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys are victims of sexual abuse. These alarming figures underscore the pressing need for comprehensive education and intervention programs aimed at safeguarding children and empowering schools to effectively manage these distressing situations.
Many children and adults lack awareness of what constitutes abuse and how to seek help, leaving children vulnerable and unprotected. CSA profoundly impacts a child's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, increasing their susceptibility to long-term psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This trauma often disrupts educational performance and social interactions, perpetuating a cycle of hindered development.
Compounding these challenges is the deficiency in resources and trained personnel within
schools to effectively address and handle cases of CSA. Equipping schools and educators to
respond to CSA is imperative for several reasons:
However, these challenges are not insurmountable. The pervasive and widespread nature of
CSA necessitates urgent and sustained efforts to address this crisis and ensure the safety and
well-being of all children. This proposal seeks to implement comprehensive initiatives that not
only raise awareness but also provide tangible support and resources to schools and
communities, empowering them to protect children from abuse and create environments
where children can thrive safely and securely.
WHO (1999) defines Child sexual abuse (CSA) as the involvement of a child in sexual activity that they do not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or that violates the laws or social taboos of society. To simply articulate, CSA is any act, using a child for the sexual gratification of the more powerful person where the later derives power by the differential of age, cognitive difference, socioeconomic differential, religion, and caste. Child Sexual Abuse is mostly committed by someone who is in a position of power and/or authority and a position of trust. Child Sexual Abuse is a violation of the child’s body as well as of the child’s trust and is against the law.
It includes both contact and non-contact sexual behaviours. Child Sexual Abuse encompasses sexual assault, sexual harassment and use of a child for pornographic purposes (POCSO Act 2012). Contact and non-contact sexual abuse encompass the following behaviours and acts:
As technology advances, new forms of child sexual abuse is happening online which commonly includes grooming, live streaming, consuming child sexual abuse material, and coercing and blackmailing children for sexual purposes (Interpol 2018).
Child Pornography or involving a child for pornographic purposes involves the sexual representation of child/children through any medium like print, electronic, computer or any other technology including preparation, production, offering, transmitting, publishing, facilitation and distribution. It also includes storing/possessing of any such material.
Child Sexual Abuse is a social problem with considerable magnitude. WHO estimates that approximately 20 per cent of girls and 5 to 10 per cent of boys are victims of sexual abuse (cited in Finkelhor 2012). Systematic reviews from across the world including different age-cohort samples have observed rates of CSA, with averages of 18±20% for females and 8±10% for males. A recent systematic review in 2018 of 55 studies from 24 countries concluded that rates of CSA ranged from 8 to 31% for females and from 3 to 17% for males (Choudhry et al 2018). About 1 in 10 children is estimated to be sexually abused in the USA (Townsend and Haviland 2016) and about in 1 in 20 children in the UK have been sexually abused (NSPCC 2019).
In the Indian context, a large-scale national study conducted in 2007 by Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), to assess the extent and nature of child abuse in India, uncovered some alarming statistics. More than half (53%) reported experience of sexual abuse among 12,447 children interviewed. This study reported 52% are boys and 47% are girls. According to National Crime Record Bureau 2022 data,
Despite its high prevalence, violence against children is often hidden, unseen or under-reported. It is not widely acknowledged or understood. Child Sexual Abuse occupies a unique space where there are selective denial and acceptance. It is both recognized (happens with ‘others’) and denied (does not happen with my child by my family members) simultaneously. There is a silence around the issue of Child Sexual Abuse stems from the fear of shame, denial and social stigma and the foundational belief in the family being sacred and family honour being supreme. Along with this, the belief that children are the property of their parents and power differentials based on socio-economic condition, caste, class, religion, sexual preferences make children vulnerable to sexual abuse.
There is consensus in the research literature that most people who experience sexual abuse in childhood do not end up disclosing until adulthood, and when disclosure does occur in childhood, significant delays are common. This is also reinforced in case of incest as the family uses various techniques such as blaming and naturalizing to keep the family honour intact.
To add to this, the vocabulary to communicate around sexuality and sexual abuse is non-existent. There is negligent conversation at the institutional and community level. Legal, medical, justice systems are often ineffective or inadequate and there is an ineffective implementation of laws and policies which rather than supporting children and families who follow legal recourse retraumatize them.
The Shys Foundation proposes to work with children and teachers in school to do the below:
Schools often lack the necessary resources and trained personnel to effectively address and manage cases of CSA. Equipping schools and teachers to address child sexual abuse (CSA) is crucial for several reasons. Schools serve as frontline defenders in child protection, given their daily interaction with students and the trust children place in their teachers. Trained educators can identify early signs of abuse and intervene promptly, potentially preventing further harm. By implementing personal safety education programs, schools empower children to recognize inappropriate behaviors and seek help confidently
Moreover, establishing clear policies and confidential reporting mechanisms creates a safe environment where students feel supported in disclosing abuse. Schools can also provide essential support services such as counseling, ensuring survivors receive the emotional and academic assistance they need to recover and thrive. Ultimately, by training teachers and implementing robust protocols, schools play a pivotal role in safeguarding children.
The Shy Foundation, as part of its good touch and bad touch sessions for children in pre-primary to grade 3, incorporates a variety of engaging and educational activities designed to reinforce key concepts and make learning enjoyable. Here's how we conduct our sessions:
Puppy Example Expansion: We use a story about a puppy named "Buddy" to illustrate the difference between good and bad touches. Buddy loves gentle pets on his head (good touch) but dislikes when his tail is pulled (bad touch). Puppets or stuffed animals make this story interactive and fun for the children.
Role-Playing: Children participate in role-playing activities with Buddy, acting out different scenarios to reinforce the concepts of good and bad touches.
Picture Cards: We use cards showing various scenarios of good and bad touches, discussing each scenario with the children to help them understand and differentiate between the two.
Safety Posters: Colorful posters highlight different parts of the body and what kind of touches are appropriate for each part, serving as a visual reminder for the children.
Helping Activities: We demonstrate safe ways to help others, such as helping someone with their coat or shoes, versus inappropriate touches, to teach the children about boundaries.
Bathing & Medicine Role-Play: Using dolls, we show how adults should help with bathing and medicine, emphasizing the importance of privacy and consent.
These engaging and educational activities ensure that children understand and remember the critical messages of self-esteem, uniqueness, and the differentiation between good and bad touches.
The Shy Foundation conducts comprehensive sessions with parents to sensitize them on how to effectively respond when their children approach them with issues or concerns. These sessions aim to better prepare parents by emphasizing the importance of making time to listen to their children, understanding their concerns, and creating an environment where children feel comfortable talking to them.
Listening and Understanding: Theimportanceofactivelisteningandempathetic understanding to make children feel heard and valued.
Identifying Behavioral Patterns: Educatingparentsonhowtoobserveandinterpret their children's body language and other behavioral indicators.
Addressing Sensitive Issues: Guidanceoncontrollingexposuretopornography, recognizing the signs of its impact, and addressing it appropriately.
Emotional Well-being: Discussing the often-overlooked emotional challenges boys face, including how they may shut themselves off or hide their feelings.
Menstruation Education:Providinginformationonmenstruationtoensureparentsare prepared to support their children through this natural process.
Creating a Safe Environment:Helpingparentsunderstandtheimportanceofbuildinga supportive and non-judgmental space for their children to discuss sensitive topics.
The sessions also aim to equip parents with strategies to identify signs of distress in their children, such as sudden withdrawal or physical indicators like unexplained scratches. By covering these areas, the Shy Foundation strives to foster better communication and a safer, more understanding environment for children at home.
We also understand the importance of making children aware as they go through the phase of puberty. The foundation conducts in-depth puberty awareness sessions specifically designed for girls from grades 5 to 10. These sessions are structured to last between 45 minutes to 1 hour, providing a comprehensive overview of the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during puberty.
Promote Healthy Development: Ensuring that girls have a clear understanding of the changes they will go through and how to manage them healthily.
Foster Open Dialogue: Creating a supportive environment where girls feel comfortable discussing puberty-related topics.
Equip with Knowledge: Providing practical knowledge and resources, such as menstrual cups, to help girls manage their menstrual health effectively.
Support Emotional Well-being: Addressing the emotional and social aspects of puberty to support overall well-being and development.
Through these sessions, the Shy Foundation aims to prepare girls for the significant changes they will experience during puberty, promoting a healthy, informed, and empowered approach to this critical stage of development.
The Shy Foundation conducts awareness sessions specifically designed for teachers, focusing on critical aspects of child safety and well-being. These sessions aim to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to handle sensitive issues effectively and to create a safe and supportive school environment
By participating in these sessions, teachers gain valuable skills and knowledge that enable them to better support their students, creating a safer and more nurturing school environment.
◈ Shys Foundation has reached more than 700 educational institutions implementing POCSO Act & POSH Act PAN Maharashtra in less than a years span with students scaling to 3,00,000 approximately.
◈ Building the roots from pre-school students to professionals viz. C.A., MBA graduates, Engineers.
◈ Conducting Interactive sessions with Parents and Teacher to identify symptoms of sexual harassment and how to address them through Effective Parenting Techniques.
◈ We have undertaken sessions for various types of students:
◈ We have organized Workshops POSH Policy for approximately 30 Corporate Houses viz. Grind master, Rucha engineering, Hotel Ambassador, ARKAY Communication, ICAI and Chate Group, Karma Consultancy, NLMK, Own My Own Technology Pvt. Ltd.
