One of the biggest social stigmas attached to a society is that of Child Abuse.
The World Health Organization defines child abuse and child maltreatment as “all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.”
Child abuse can take place in homes, schools, orphanages, residential care facilities, on the streets, in the workplace, in prisons and in places of detention.
The effects of child abuse
Child Abuse can lead to long-term and serious damage to a child. For example, it can lead to long-standing physical and mental health difficulties such as depression, eating disorders, substance misuse and self-harm. Children who have been abused may find it hard to trust other people – this could make it difficult for them to form healthy relationships in the future. For all these reasons, it’s very important to take steps to protect children from abuse.
Most criminals have an abusive childhood
Shocking Facts:
- Major abuse reported between the age group of 5 to 11 years
- Boys, as compared to girls are equally at risk of abuse
- Persons in trust and authority are major abusers, mostly parents
- 48.4% girls wished they were boys
- Most children reported the issue to no one
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 33,052 cases in 2011;38,172 cases in 2012 & 58,224 cases in 2013
- The Highest number of Registered FIRs were done in – Rajasthan, followed by Maharashtra, UP, MP and Kerala.
- The Conviction rate was only 166 – a mere 2.4%, while 389 Of the accused were Acquitted.
- Eight cases of Child Sexual are reported every single day.
- 40 Underage Girls are forced into a life of Prostitution Every Single Day.
- Child Prostitution Work In Hazardous Environments and live in Unhygienic Squalor. They’re often beaten & raped.
- India is viewed as a hub for human trafficking It’s been estimated that 12,000-50,000 women and children are trafficked into the country annually from neighbouring states of Nepal & Bangladesh as labour, beggary, organ trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Statutes dealing with the protection of Children
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000
- The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
- The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- The Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005
- Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
WHERE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT
- A complaint alleging the commission of any act amounting to abuse of a child can be made to the police. The Police helpline number is 100.
- In case the police fails to register a FIR or does not investigate the case, then the aggrieved party can write an application to the Superintendent of Police under Section 154(3) of CrPC.
- Even if there is failure on the part of the Superintendent of police to take action, or that even after registering it no proper investigation is held, the aggrieved party can file an application under Section 156(3) of CrPC before the learned Magistrate concerned. In such cases the Magistrate can direct the FIR to be registered and also can direct a proper investigation to be made, in a case where, according to the aggrieved person, no proper investigation was made. The Magistrate can also under the same provision monitor the investigation to ensure a proper investigation.
- An online complaint can be made at the website of the National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights by clicking on the following link: http://ncpcronline.info/OnlineForm/onlineform.aspx
- A complaint can also be addressed to:
Chairperson
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
5th Floor, Chanderlok Building, 36, Janpath,
New Delhi – 110 001
(E-Mail: complaints.ncpcr@gmail.com)
Online complaint can also be made at the website of the National Commission of Human Rights by clicking on following link :http://nhrc.nic.in/
Child line provides emergency assistance and outreach services to a child in distress and subsequently, based upon the child’s need, rescues the child and refers him/her to an appropriate organization for long-term rehabilitation, follow up and care.
A call can be made to Child line a 24 hours free telephone helpline service at the number 1098.
With this shocking & alarming scenario in the background, SIOL decided to work for this cause and expect to raise awareness to work together to control this menace.
