Half of India’s kids are abused

NEW DELHI: More than half of India’s child population has been scarred by sexual abuse. The nauseating statistic, indicating that 53 per cent of the country’s children are sexually assaulted, was revealed by the Government of India’s first survey on child abuse.

Maharashtra’s record is more or less consistent with the national figure: 50.57 per cent children in the state said they had been sexually abused. Thirty-four per cent reported emotional abuse and more than 68 per cent said they had endured physical abuse.

The government’s report, based on a survey involving 12,447 children in 13 states, suggests that two out of three school-going children in India are victims of corporal punishment. Across different groups, children between five and 12 have reported higher levels of abuse.

People who hold positions of trust and authority – such as parents, relations, friends, teachers, and servants – are the chief tormentors. Worse, fear prevents 70 per cent of the abused children from seeking redress. 

“I am releasing this report with a heavy heart,” said Renuka Chowdhury, minister of state for women and child development. “It has been found that children are not safe in even their own homes.”

Indeed, the survey found that 88.6 per cent of the respondents were assaulted by parents and 65 per cent by teachers. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, and Delhi reported the highest number of child abuse cases in all forms - physical, emotional, and sexual. Contrary to the belief that boys are safer, the survey established that out of the 69 per cent of abused children, 54.68 per cent were boys.

When it comes to sexual and emotional abuse, every second child is a victim, and 60.35 per cent children are abused by their parents. Children on the street, at work, and in institutional care (schools, playschools) reported the highest incidence of sexual assault.

A distressing variety of abuses are perpetrated on children: touching of private parts or fondling, forceful kissing, forcing children to exhibit private parts, and photographing them in the nude.

The report - jointly prepared by Chowdhury's ministry, UNICEF, and Prayas, an NGO - says such practices are rampant. About 50 per cent of abuses have been inflicted by people known to the child or someone in a position of responsibility. Out of 2,324 young adults (18 to 24 years) surveyed, almost 46 per cent reported sexual abuse in childhood.

The government has promised the introduction of stringent laws and the implementation of awareness campaigns to deal with the crisis.