One of two children in India sexually abused: Report
By siliconindia   |   Tuesday, 10 April 2007, 19:30 IST
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New Delhi: A national study on child abuse shockingly revealed that almost 50 percent of India's children aged between 5 and 12 are prone to sexual abuse. The abuses ranges from forcible kissing and being made to exhibit their private parts during travel, marriage and other family ceremonies, said the study. The figure reduces to half as soon as they cross into their teens, points out a study conducted by ministry of women and child development, UNICEF and two NGOs, which are Save the Child and Prayas.The survey was conducted among 15,000 children in 13 sample states and has come up with disturbing data, reported a national daily. While 41.17 percent of children in the 5-12 age group complained of being forcibly kissed, the figure came down to 25.73 percent for the 13-14 years category. Similarly, around 25.86 percent of teenagers reported being forced to exhibit their private parts, but the relevant figure for those below 12 was 35.86 percent. Around 37.25 percent of the younger age group and 27.61 percent of teenagers were sexually abused during travel. As much as 41.33 percent in the 5-12 category and 25.29 in the 13-14 category reported abuse during marriages and other ceremonies in the family. According to the study, 53.22 percent of the children surveyed faced one or more forms of sexual abuse while 21.9 percent of them faced severe forms of sexual abuse and 50.76 percent other forms of sexual abuse. The report also said that around 70 percent of abused children have never reported the matter to anyone. While Assam (86.26 percent) topped the list of states where children faced sexual abuse, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi followed closely at 72.83 percent and 72.26 percent. Rajasthan reported the lowest complaints with only 29.36 percent. The percentage of sexually abused young adults (13-14 age group) is also high in Assam at 77.5 percent, followed by Delhi at 69.11 percent. Goa reported the least complaints - 23.01 percent. 'Every second child reported facing emotional abuse,' says the report. While 68.26 percent of children in Assam reported being emotionally abused through humiliation, the figure was 58.32 percent for Delhi and 55.67 percent for Madhya Pradesh. The survey is expected to develop a dependable and comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of child abuse. "It will also facilitate the formulation of appropriate policy and programs meant to effectively curb and control the menace," Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Choudhury said.

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