The document discusses various types of child abuse, highlighting the importance of believing and listening to children when they disclose abuse, as well as the legal protections available under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. It emphasizes the long-term health consequences of childhood sexual abuse and offers guidance for parents on recognizing and responding to signs of abuse while fostering an open environment for communication. The document also advocates for preventative measures and the promotion of social well-being to combat child maltreatment.

1. BELIEVE IN YOUR CHILD
KINDLE KARE
IN COLLABORATION WITH PSTTI
AN INITIATIVE OF

2. TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE
 Neglect
 Physical Abuse
 Emotional Abuse
 Sexual Abuse

4. WHO ARE THE PERPETRATORS?
 Perpetrators are defined as accused of child abuse and neglect. They can be
parents and other caregivers (such as relatives, babysitters, and foster parents)
who have harmed a child in their care
 The perpetrator can be anyone who exploits the child's vulnerability to gain sexual
gratification
 It involves mental, physical and emotional abuse of a child through overt and
covert sexual acts, gestures and disposition - when informed consent or resistance
by the child victim to such acts is not possible. It can also include activities which
do not involve direct touching.
 Harm caused to a child by others (such as acquaintances or strangers) may not be
considered child abuse but rather may be considered a criminal matter

6. HOW AWARE ARE WE ON HOW AWARE
OUR CHILD MUST BE
 Most of the parents or immediate caregiver are usually in the Denial
Syndrome – “IT CAN’T HAPPEN TO MY CHILD”, or “I’M EXTRA CAREFUL”
 Fact to be accepted is that a child needs open environment to enhance his
curiosity which further paves way to the developmental factors
 Many parents try to hide the fact that their child was Molested or Abused for
fear of Societal discrimination or Falsification or gossip
 The child usually doesn’t have words to express his feelings or what he is going
through – Listening to his / her Unspoken Words
 When as a Parent, we expect the child to tell us everything pertaining to their
experiences, we as parents also must take the initiative of explaining to the
child what he / she needs to know

7. WHAT SHOULD A PARENT DO WHEN HIS
CHILD COMPLAINS OF CSA
 First and Foremost, “BELIEVE IN THE CHILD” – the implications of not
believing are far more hurting psychologically than the actual Abuse
 Listen to the child’s Unspoken Words
 Take Precautionary or Remedial Steps
 Give the child the respect and understanding that he deserves
 Teach him about the Good Touch and Bad Touch

8. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM
SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 2012
 The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides protection to all children
under the age of 18 years from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography.
 This is the first time that an Act has listed aspects of touch as well as non touch behaviour (eg:
photographing a child in a obscene manner) under the ambit of sexual offences.
 The Act incorporates child friendly procedures for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and
trial of offences
 The attempt to commit an offence under the Act has also been made liable for punishment for upto
half the punishment prescribed for the commission of the offence.
 The Act also provides for punishment for abetment of the offence, which is the same as for the
commission of the offence. This would cover trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
 For the more heinous offences of Penetrative Sexual Assault, Aggravated Penetrative Sexual
Assault, Sexual Assault and Aggravated Sexual Assault, the burden of proof is shifted on the accused.
 The media has been barred from disclosing the identity of the child without the permission of the
Special Court

9. MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY
 Munchausen syndrome by proxy is the most common
term used to describe a type of child abuse in which a
caregiver exaggerates, fabricates, or induces
symptoms of a medical condition in a child that lead
to unnecessary and potentially harmful medical care

10. LONG-TERM PHYSICAL HEALTH
CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL
ABUSE: A META-ANALYTIC REVIEW
 According to the Journal of Pediatric Psychology 2013, there is always a Long –
term consequence of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). Some points are:
 Gastrointestinal Health
 Gynecological Health
 Musculoskeletal Pain – General history of difference of Pain with CSA
 Cardiopulmonary Symptoms – increased Heartbeat
 Obesity – increase in BMI
 Psychobiological and Behavioural factors – disruption in the Sympathetic
Nervous System

11. THE TACTILE SENSE
The Good Touch – Parental or any Doctor
in the presence of the Parent
The Bad Touch – Touching of the
Chest, Back and in between the legs

12. HOW TO GO ABOUT ERADICATING CHILD
ABUSE
 By preventing child Maltreatment and promoting social well-being
 Protective factors help parents to find resources, supports, or coping strategies that allow
them to parent effectively, even under stress.
 Creating awareness in immediate adults by pursuing Early Childhood Care and Education
Programs
 Nurturing an Attachment
 Knowledge of good Parenting
 Awareness of Child Development
 Parental Resilience
 Social Connections
 Concrete Support for Parents
 Social and Emotional Competence of Children

14. CONTACTING THE CHILD HELPLINE

15. THANK YOU
For more information, Visit:
www.pstti.com
Or call Dr.Savitha @9844557052