INDIA: Spurt in child abuse prompts helpline to alert parents

TNN Jun 22, 2012, 04.30AM IST

PUNE: Childline Pune, the 24-hour helpline for children in distress, issued an alert to parents and guardians on Thursday about growing child sexual abuse in the city and suggested ways to protect the children.

"Dnyana Devi Childline receives child sexual abuse reports and the number keeps growing. In the last five days, we have had to deal with six cases and received reports of four more. Of these, three were repeated rape/molestation by fathers and two by brothers, which prompted us to issue the alert," said Anuradha Sahasrabuddhe, director Dnyana Devi Childline, in a statement.

Sahasrabuddhe has appealed to all parents to carefully monitor their children and keep them secure. "Ensure such communication between yourself and the child that the child feels confident and is motivated to share every little detail of whatever happens in his/her life each day. Empower children by telling them about possible dangerous situations and what to do," she said. It is not difficult to tell children about what can happen, she added.

Parents must accept that the child was not at fault and reassure the child. "Both boys and girls can be abused and child sexual abuse case victims range from newborns to every possible age group," Sahasrabuddhe said.

There were adequate legal provisions and other facilities to help the child. "If these cases are hushed up in the name of family honour, this amounts to injustice to the child and not only harms his/her trust in the parent but also sets the culprit free to abuse other children. The abused child needs firm parental support and counselling," she said.

Sahasrabuddhe said that parents and adults also needed to monitor their own behaviour.

"It is a proven fact that children never lie about such incidents. Any change in normal behaviour pattern of the child should be considered a warning signal. Appropriate age specific sex education that includes gender references help children control their behaviour and empowers them to protect themselves," she said. She has also appealed to the judiciary, advocates and police not to help perpetrators.

Dnyana Devi Childline would provide any guidance/help required to parents to protect their children. "A resource book for parents is also available with us. Parents can call us on toll free number 1098 (call centre) or on direct lines 25540156/25540026/9767187263", she said.

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