2. Human rights are moral principles that set out certain
standards of human behaviour, and are regularly protected
as legal rights in national and international law. They are
"commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to
which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or
he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as
universal and egalitarian. The doctrine of human rights has
been highly influential within international law, global and
regional institutions, in the policies of states and in the
activities of non-governmental organizations and has become
a cornerstone of public policy around the world.
3. Child abuse refers to the intended, unintended and perceived
maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of the Child, including
any of the following: Psychological and physical abuse,
neglect, cruelty, sexual and emotional maltreatment. Any act,
deed or word which debases, degrades or demeans the
intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being.
Unreasonable deprivation of his/her basic needs for survival
such as food and shelter; or failure to give timely medical
treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment
of his/her growth and development or in his/her permanent
incapacity or death.
4. Child abuse is a state of emotional, physical, economic and sexual maltreatment meted
out to a person below the age of eighteen and is a globally prevalent phenomenon.
However, in India, as in many other countries, there has been no understanding of the
extent, magnitude and trends of the problem. The growing complexities of life and the
dramatic changes brought about by socio-economic transitions in India have played a
major role in increasing the vulnerability of children to various and newer forms of
abuse.
Child abuse has serious physical and psycho-social consequences which adversely
affect the health and overall well-being of a child. According to WHO: ''Child abuse or
maltreatment constitutes 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.''
5. It has very clearly emerged that across different kinds of abuse,
it is young children, in the 5-12 year group, Who are most at risk of abuse and exploited.
Physical Abuse
1. Two out of every three children were physically abused.
2. Out of 69% children physically abused in 13 sample states, 54.68% were boys.
3. Over 50% children in all the 13 sample states were being subjected to one or the other
form of physical abuse.
4. Out of those children physically abused in family situations, 88.6% were physically
abused by parents.
5. 65% of school going children reported facing corporal punishment i.e. two out of three
children were victims of corporal punishment.
6. Sexual Abuse
1. 53.22% children reported having faced one or more forms of sexual abuse.
2. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest percentage of sexual
abuse among both boys and girls.
3. 21.90% child respondents reported facing severe forms of sexual abuse and 50.76%
other forms of sexual abuse.
4. Out of the child respondents, 5.69% reported being sexually assaulted.
5. Children in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi reported the highest incidence of
sexual assault.
Emotional Abuse and Girl Child Neglect
1. Every second child reported facing emotional abuse.
2. Equal percentage of both girls and boys reported facing emotional abuse.
3. In 83% of the cases parents were the abusers.
4. 48.4% of girls wished they were boys.
These are the core problematic areas which leading us to know & study about the regarding
Child Abuse of India.
7. National legislations for protection of child rights in the country are:
Guardian and Wards Act, 1890
Factories Act ,1954
Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956
Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959
Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervision and Control) Act, 1960
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1986
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986
8. At last it would like to conclude that, though Indian
Constitution has tight punishments for violation of child rights
but still child abuse is still in going on process in India.
Sometimes children doesn`t have any idea that they have
been abused or abusing so more awareness among the
children`s can make them understand that their body parts
are belong to them nobody can touch without their concerns.
Except certain e.g. doctors while checkups of children`s
parents should be present there along with them. Stopping
child abuse in India is a big concern only awareness among
the parents and children can reduces its intensity. It has been
seen that so many children`s who are going through this sort
9. Below are some tips to help parents prevent or detect abuse:
Be involved in your children's activities.
Notice when someone spends a lot of time with your child. Talk with your child about
what they do, who else is there, what kind of games they play, etc.
Believe your child. Listen seriously and sensitively to what your child says.
Teach your child to "Say no, get away, and to tell someone," if anyone tries to touch
him or her inappropriately.
Tell your child, "Your body belongs to you.”
Explain to your child not to keep secrets that feel scary or uncomfortable. Go through
rules with your babysitter while your child is present.