"Child sexual abuse is very much there in the society but no one talks about it. The campaign only reaffirmed the need to spread awareness," said MARD president Dr Sagar Mundada.
A Maharastra Association of Resident Doctors' (MARD) campaign, Good touch and bad touch, has revealed some startling facts on child sexual abuse. During the month long campaign, in which more than 200 adolescents in the age of 15-20 were interviewed, 60 per cent female respondents and 35 per cent males opened up about being sexually abused before the age of 15.
"Child sexual abuse is very much there in the society but no one talks about it. The campaign only reaffirmed the need to spread awareness," said MARD president Dr Sagar Mundada. The survey also revealed that 20 per cent of the respondents who experienced sexual abuse informed their parents at least once.
"For a sexual abuse victim, getting family support is a must. It leaves the child mentally traumatised and can also cause severe depression for a lifetime. In the survey, we found that 20 per cent respondents reported abuse to parents but only about half of the parents enquired further into the matter," said Dr Mundada. He said all respondents who were victims confessed that the abuser was known to them beforehand.
"Since the offender was a family member, they wanted to keep things under the carpet. Among parents, only one spoke about their child being a victim of sexual abuse," added Dr Mundada.
Psychiatrists said sexual assault on a juvenile is generally not reported because of social stigma attached to it. The victims can develop psychological problems and remain depressed when they grow up.
"Children should know what they need to do when someone touches them inappropriately. Parents also need to have a frank chat with their children on this topic, believe in their children and take them seriously," said child psychiatrist Dr Fabian Almeida.
Keeping in mind the result of the survey, MARD has now decided to continue with the campaign. "We have decided to continue the campaign against child sexual abuse in January by distributing a booklet on good touch and bad touch to all those whose children are younger than 12 years and come to us," said Dr Mundada.
The booklet will be in english and marathi, and will be available free of cost from Tuesday onwards. "This is being done with help of Dr Minakshi Bhosale, head of the paediatric surgery department at JJ hospital. The booklet will be helpful for both parents and children. It has simple ways to create awareness and help fight the menace. We need to recognise child sexual abuse, report it and prevent it," he added.
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