Twitter
Advertisement

Breaking the blank wall

Here's a look at how the audio-visual medium helps reach out to kids in spreading awareness about a topic that most deem 'uncomfortable', Child Sexual Abuse

Latest News
article-main
Steps must be taken to eliminate child abuse
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

One can state that a nation transforms from orthodox to liberal when issues that were once tucked in the backseat come under the spotlight, and are debated upon openly without any resistance.

Over the years, one has seen an ascent when it comes to examining Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in India; with more commoners and celebrities raising their voice on the issue, making known of its rampancy and addressing it as a topic that one needs to be aware of.

Nonetheless, some parents are still averse when it comes to a discourse with their children on CSA awareness. Parents feel uncomfortable having 'the talk' with their kids on how to identify abuse and what to do when being in an abusive situation. Awareness, though, among urban parents is surely increasing.

Being part of a digital culture aids us in spreading awareness using technology, films and similar media. Needless to say, communication has become easier because of media like the audio-visual.

Gauri Ambavkar, coordinator of the counselling and crisis intervention project, which is part of Dharavi-based NGO SNEHA says, "We have noticed that post viewing these films on CSA, several children come up to us and share how they've experienced something similar."

One such film that helps kids differentiate between 'safe and unsafe touch' thus helping them understand abuse, is Komal, a ten-minute PSA on CSA. Now winning the Best Educational Film at the 62nd National Film Awards and going viral with above 7 million views and shares on social media, this is a well-researched, sensitive and poignant short film to make both children and parents aware of CSA.

Besides, it has also been sought by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to show it at refugee camps worldwide.

Nishit Kumar, Head Communications & Strategic Initiatives of Worli-based CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF), says, "CIF has had to deal with several CSA cases and we've seen that the impact of abuse on CSA survivors was lifelong. Thus, there was a need to build an effective programme to sensitise children on the rules of personal safety. The result was our CSA Programme, which has already covered 800 schools in Mumbai. This was also picked up by Aamir Khan for Satyamev Jayate and the resulting funding from viewers helped us make the film Komal."

Bandra resident Kireet Khurana, who is the writer and creative producer of Komal, says, "The response the film has recieved is stupendous. It is a great honour that this film has reached out to so many viewers. The fact that it has been shared so many times shows that it has found more resonance."

But does only showing a film to kids helps create awareness?

Colaba resident Uma Subramanian, Director, Aarambh & India Manager ADM Capital Foundation, explains, "Before Komal, we used other films that were made in the Philippines such as A Good Boy (deals with a pedophile and travelling sex offender), Daughter (a film about incest) and Red Leaves Falling (a film on trafficking for commercial sex purposes). These films were not really for children but for parents and teachers to make them aware about CSA. The visual medium definitely helps a lot when it comes to making kids aware about CSA, but one needs a facilitator to interpret it for them."

Ambavkar tells us that parents are shown clips from films like Highway and Monsoon Wedding that touch upon the issue of CSA, thus helping them believe that the issue is prevalent and must be talked about.

Statistics prove that CSA is rampant in India: the GOI research of 2007 has reported that 53 per cent of all children are sexually abused by the age of ten. And the number is probably higher when we talk about abuse of differently-abled children. Reasons being that perpetrators do not fear being reported by these children or conveniently think that differently-abled children may not realise that they are being molested.

While NGOs like CIF conduct preventive care education using sign language experts for the differently-abled, this module might be accessible to only a select few. That's where the use of accessible versions help. Komal is not just multilingual (15 languages), it also has 42 accessible versions.

Shilpi Kapoor, Founder/Director of BarrierBreak, tells us, "The aim of making the video in accessible format was to reach out to every child; for the hearing impaired, we added captions to the story and also provided the same information in sign language as a variant with a sign language interpreter. For the visually impaired, we created audio description to fill in whenever there's a gap in the dialogue."

In a country like ours, where CSA talks are still a taboo, is it challenging to come up with a video for differently-abled children, and will it be accepted?

Kapoor busts the myth by explaining, "Parents/educators want to tell children about what's a safe touch or an unsafe touch and that's what this film does."

Despite the challenges, we think the best part is the satisfaction of being part of a social change. Films like Komal has helped educate not only children but also allowed many to break the silence. So, in case you're unsure of how to make kids aware of the difference between a safe and an unsafe touch, you know who (read: Komal) can be of help.

Breach Candy resident and clinical psychologist Shivali Shah says, "The audio-visual medium helps children become more aware about what a safe and an unsafe touch is. While it is easier for older kids to pinpoint and indicate what has happened to them, it might not be the same for younger kids. For the young ones, who are visually inclined, it is easier for them to comprehend what is shown in a film. Young kids aged four-five years may be able to relate to the characters in the film and hence be verbal about what has happened to them. Moreover, a visual medium plays an important role in educating and making differently-abled children aware—through a medium that is accessible to them, they can get something that is concrete and not abstract."

Juhu resident, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Mansi Hassan says, "Children are able to understand and relate with the emotions when it is depicted through an audio-visual medium. It is like a story for them so it leaves a stronger impact than a lecture or a chat. Younger children would definitely benefit more from such a medium. However, it would be beneficial to have an interactive session with them post such a film to understand their thought process or address queries and make them feel at ease."

In an attempt to increase CSA awareness, women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi wants government-funded schools across India to screen Komal during morning assembly.
 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement