Study of Act and various amendments relating to Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) postulates abuse of a child by an adult/older person for sexual stimulation. Time has stood witness to exorbitant statistical increase in CSA all around the world despite adoption of innumerable international legal documents, growing national legal and social concern for the horrendous CSA problem. CSA, be it sexual molestation, incest, rape, commercial sexual exploitation or pornography, is undeniably an underreported harsh truth of the Indian society. Irrespective of gender, social strata or class, children in India face the risk of exposure to various forms of sexual abuse. Trauma and after-effects of CSA can be grave enough to fill the life of the victimized child with prolonging horrors diminishing the quality of life forever. Non-indulgent social attitude, double standards towards CSA, poor community and authority response, non-denial and hesitant family response, insensitive police and medical fraternity are greatly responsible in the growth of CSA in India, ultimately leading to the enactment of Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse Act, 2012 for protecting children from sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. Amidst this scenario, this research paper sheds light on the global and Indian facts and figures pertaining to CSA and its nature; examines the international documents relating to CSA and evaluates the national legal scenario relating to CSA. It also focuses on the failure of the Indian society as a whole in effectively addressing the issue of CSA and ponders the ways to curb this horrible menace.