Because I Care -- 2

WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE?

“Sexual abuse of children is a very real problem in India, and the situation is aided by the absence of effective legislation and the silence that surrounds the offence.” Asha Krishnakumar, child rights activist

The basics begin with understanding what constitutes sexual abuse and what its dynamics are, preparing children to recognize and deal with it, creating an open environment in which children can express themselves freely, learning to notice and react to sexually inappropriate behaviors towards children and responding when we think a child is being sexually abused.

A clear understanding of sexual abuse is critical in recognizing and dealing with it.

Experts explain child sexual abuse as the use of a child for sexual gratification by an older or more powerful person. The offender is usually an adult, but could also be a more powerful child. Both girls and boys are vulnerable. Besides being a public health concern, it is a crime punishable by law.”

The types of abuse include Touching and Non-Touching Acts such as these:

Touching

Fondling a child's body for sexual pleasure

Kissing a child with sexual undertones/inclinations.

Rubbing genitals against a child's body.

Sexually touching a child's body, and specifically private parts (breasts and genitals) and/or encouraging or forcing a child to

do likewise.

Making a child touch someone else's genitals, or playing sexual ("pants-down") games.

Encouraging or forcing a child to masturbate, with the child as either a participant or observer.

Encouraging or forcing a child to perform oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact on or by the child)

Inserting objects or body parts (like fingers, tongue or penis) inside the vagina, mouth, or anus of a child; includes attempts of these acts.

Non-touching

Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts either in person or lowering the bars of privacy

Looking at a child sexually

Exposing one's private body parts to a child (exhibitionism)

Watching a child in a state of nudity, such as while undressing, using the bathroom, with or without the child's knowledge (voyeurism)

An adult making suggestive comments to the child that are sexual in nature. Commenting on the sexual development of a child

Encouraging or forcing a child to read/watch pornography, giving pornographic material or using the child in pornography