India Urged to Protect Children from Sex Abuse

"India's system to combat child sexual abuse is inadequate because government mechanisms fail to ensure the protection of children," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"Children who bravely complain of sexual abuse are often dismissed or ignored by the police, medical staff, and other authorities."

The report uses detailed case studies rather than a quantitative analysis to examine government mechanisms to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.

Human Rights Watch conducted more than 100 interviews with victims of child sexual abuse and their relatives, government child protection officials and independent experts, police officers, doctors, social workers, and lawyers who have handled cases of child sexual abuse.

Addressing child sexual abuse was a challenge all over the world, but in India shortcomings in both state and community responses add to the problem, Human Rights Watch said.

The criminal justice system, from the time police get a complaint until trials were completed, needs urgent reform.  Poorly trained police often refuse to register complaints. Instead, they subject the victim to mistreatment and humiliation.

Also Read: Kids in Juvenile Homes Exposed to Drugs and Sexual Abuse