P. A. Chacko
On November 15, 2022 the United Nations declared November 18 as the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence.
The objective is ‘to bring global visibility to the trauma of child sexual abuse’. Governments should take action to fight it. So, too, all those in charge of institutions have the responsibility for implementing child safety rules in their institutions .
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of children experience sexual violence each year.
Children can become victims of
“sexual exploitation and sexual abuse at home, in schools, hostels, child care centres, during extra curricula activities, in the street, over the phone, through a webcam or online in general.” Child sex tourism is rampant in some countries.
Researchers point out that,
in most cases, it is inflicted by someone the child knows, or in the circle of trust.
The exploitation causes lifelong damage to the child’s physical, mental, and social health. The vast majority of cases are not reported to the police.
Society as a whole has ‘a duty to prevent these crimes, prosecute the perpetrators and protect the victims.We share a collective responsibility to bring it to light and take practical steps to address the situation.’
Every administrative head is law bound to report to police any such aberration in his/ her institution.
The Supreme Court of India’s landmark judgment in Vishakha and Others vs. State of Rajasthan (1997) was a watershed moment. The Court, acknowledged the seriousness of sexual harassment in the workplace, laid down the ‘Vishakha guidelines’. These guidelines were formulated to ensure the prevention of sexual harassment, to prosecute and punish the perpetrators, and to provide guidelines for employers to develop policies against sexual harassment.
The Indian Parliament legislated ‘The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POSCO Act).
The POSCO Act was enacted to address criminalising a range of acts. They include child rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography involving a child under 18 years of age.
The law mandates setting up of special courts to facilitate speedy trials in Child Sexual Abuse cases.