Deals with the issue of child sexual abuse, how to identify the signs, how to handle situations related to child sexual abuse and penalties imposed by law, how to help a child who is a victim of sexual abuse and how to protect your child from sexual abuse.

1. Submitted by:
Pragya Ratna
WORKSHOP ON CHILD
SEXUAL ABUSE

3. Child sexual abuse
• Sexual abuse is engaging a child in any sexual activity that he/she
does not understand or cannot give informed consent for or is not
physically, mentally or emotionally prepared for.
• Both the sexes are prone to sexual abuse, it would be wrong to
assume that your son is completely safe from sexual abuse.
• It is important to understand that sexual abuse is not restricted to
inappropriately touching the child or raping the child. It also
includes activities that do not involve actual physical contact with
the child.

4. • Sexual abuse that does not involve physical contact with the child is
termed as sexual harassment. For example, showing any
pornographic material to the child, exposing any part of the body
with the intent of showing it to the child, or exposing any body part
of the child with sexual intention.

5. Warning signs
• Not wanting to be alone with a particular person or child, or
making efforts to avoid them.
• New adult words for body parts and no obvious source
• Trouble walking or sitting
• Displays knowledge in sexual acts inappropriate to their age, or
even seductive behavior
• Acting out in an inappropriate sexual way with toys or objects
• Sudden unexplained personality changes, mood swings and
seeming insecure

6. • Regressing to younger behaviours, e.g. bedwetting
• Unaccountable fear of particular places or people
• Outburst of anger
• Changes in eating habits
• Talk of a new, older friend and unexplained money or gifts
• Self-harm (cutting, burning or other harmful activities)
• Nightmares, sleeping problems
• Becoming withdrawn or very clingy
• Becoming unusually secretive

7. • Physical signs, such as, unexplained soreness or bruises
around genitals or mouth, sexually transmitted diseases,
pregnancy
• Running away
• These behavioral changes in your child can be because of
other reasons also. However, it is extremely important to
start paying special attention to your child, begin asking him
questions and consider seeking help when you notice such
signs.

9. Perpetrators of child sexual abuse
• It may be an adult or another child who is developmentally superior
to the victim.
• It may be hard to believe but most people who sexually abuse
children are those who maintain a good relationship with the family
and have absolute confidence of the family member.

10. Signs that an adult may be using their
relationship with a child for sexual reasons
• Refuse to allow a child sufficient privacy or to make their own
decisions on personal matters.
• Insist on physical affection such as kissing, hugging or wrestling
even when the child clearly does not want it.
• Are overly interested in the sexual development of a child or
teenager.
• Insist on time alone with a child with no interruptions.
• Spend most of their spare time with children and have little interest
in spending time with people their own age.

11. • Regularly offer to baby-sit children for free or take children on
overnight outings alone.
• Buy children expensive gifts or give them money for no apparent
reason.
• Frequently walk in on children/teenagers in the bathroom.
• Treat a particular child as a favorite, making them feel 'special'
compared with others in the family.
• Pick on a particular child.

12. Psychology of the child
• It is extremely important to understand the psychology of the child
going through sexual abuse, in most cases the child is unable to
understand what is happening to him and therefore is unable to
express himself.
• The perpetrator may threaten the child to remain silent or he may
tell the child that no one would trust him and he would be punished
for opening up about the abuse. As a result the child begins to
loose confidence in himself and his family members.

13. Things a parent or trusted adult must do
• If a child is not comfortable with a particular adult or older child
then you or some other adult must let that person know.
• If someone is “too good to be true” then ask more questions – this
friend or family member may not be a safe person for your child.
Unfortunately, unconditional trust cannot protect children from
harm.
• Don’t wait for proof of sexual abuse, confront the alleged
perpetrator, your child needs to know that you can take a stand for
him.

14. • If your child opens up about a sexual abuse incident that happened
to him, show him that you trust him. It is extremely important for a
child to know that you trust him and are there for him.
• Thank the child for telling you
• Apologize to the child that something like this happened to him.
• Assure your child that this would not happen again and that you are
there for him.
• If the perpetrator is a family member and you may not want to
press charges. You should at least have a family meeting and make
it clear to the perpetrator that this is completely unacceptable and
should not be repeated.

16. Simple conversations to keep your
child safe from abuse

17. • Talking about sexual abuse with children may seem like an extremely
awkward and impossible task. We can assure you its not. A very simple
method of keeping your child safe is by talking about the underwear
rule.
• The Underwear Rule is a simple way to help keep children safe from
abuse. It teaches children that their body belongs to them, they have a
right to say no, and that they should tell an adult if they’re upset or
worried.
• Remember that having these conversations with your child once does
not mean your child is now safe from sexual abuse. It’s much better to
have conversations little and often. This will help you to reinforce the
key points, and to adapt the message as your child gets older.

18. Privates are private
• Anything covered by underwear is private. No one should ask to see or
touch parts of the body covered by underwear.
• No one should ask your child to touch or look at parts of their body
covered by underwear. If anyone tries, your child should say no.
• In some situations, people – such as parents at bathtime, doctors or
nurses – may need to touch your child’s private parts. Explain to your
child that this is OK but only in the presence of the parents, and in their
absence those people should always explain why they are touching the
child.
• Any time a person touches the parts covered by underwear in the
absence of the parents the child should inform the parents or any
trusted adult.

19. Their body belongs to them
• Your child should know their body belongs to them, and no one
else. No one has the right to make your child do anything with their
body that makes them feel uncomfortable. If anyone tries, they
should tell a trusted adult.

20. No means no
• Your child has the right to say ‘no’ – even to a family member or
someone they love. This shows your child they’re in control of their
body and their feelings are respected. There are times when you
may need to overrule your child’s preferences to keep them safe –
like when you’re crossing the road – but it helps if you explain why.
If a child feels empowered to say no to their own family, they are
more likely to say no to others.

21. Talk about secrets that upset you
• Help your child feel confident that speaking up about a secret that’s
worrying them won’t get them into trouble.
• Explain the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ secrets. Some
secrets, like surprise parties, can be good. But adults should never
make a child keep a secret that makes them feel worried, sad or
frightened.
• Secrets are often an abuser’s greatest weapon. Phrases like “it’s
our little secret” are their way of making a child feel worried or
scared to tell.

22. Speak up someone can help
• If your child feels sad, anxious or frightened they can talk to an
adult they trust. This person will listen, and can help stop
whatever’s making them upset.
• Remind your child that whatever the problem, it’s not their fault
and they won’t get into trouble.
• A trusted adult doesn’t have to be a family member. It can be a
teacher, an older brother or sister or a friend’s parent. It can even
be Child line.

23. Protection of Children From Sexual
Offences Act, 2012

24. Penetrative sexual assault
• Any person who penetrates his penis, any object or any
other body part into the vagina, mouth or anus of the
child or
• Applies his mouth to the vagina, mouth or anus of the
child would be punished with imprisonment of not less
than 7 years which may extend upto imprisonment for life
and fine.

25. Aggravated sexual assault
• Any person who is a police officer, or member of armed
forces, or a public servant, or a member of management
of a hospital, educational or religious institution, or a jail
or remand house etc commits penetrative sexual assault is
said to commit aggravated sexual assault.
• Any person who causes a child to become pregnant,
mentally ill, or inflicts the child with any life threatening
disease or commits gang penetrative assault is said to
commit aggravated sexual assault.

26. • Any person who commits penetrative sexual assault
repeatedly or takes advantage of the disability of the child
would be liable to rigorous imprisonment of not less than
10 years which may extend upto imprisonment for life and
also be liable to fine

27. Sexual assault
• Any person who touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast
of a child with sexual intention is said to commit sexual
assault and shall be liable to imprisonment of not less than
3 years which may extend upto 5 years and fine

28. Aggravated sexual assault
• Any person who is a police officer, or member of armed
forces, or a public servant, or a member of management
of a hospital, educational or religious institution, or a jail
or remand house etc commits penetrative sexual assault is
said to commit aggravated sexual assault.
• Any person who causes a child to become pregnant,
mentally ill, or inflicts the child with any life threatening
disease or commits gang penetrative assault is said to
commit aggravated sexual assault

29. • Any person who commits penetrative sexual assault
repeatedly or takes advantage of the disability of the child
would be liable to rigorous imprisonment of not less than
5 years which may extend upto 7 years and also be liable
to fine.

30. Sexual harassment
• Any person who utters any word or sound or gesture or
shows any pornographic material, or exhibits his body or
any part of his body so that it may be seen by any other
person is said to commit sexual harassment and shall be
liable to imprisonment which may extend upto 3 years and
fine.

31. • Any person who uses child for pornographic purposes
shall be liable to imprisonment which may extend upto 5
years and with fine. If the offence is repeated again after
conviction such person shall be liable with imprisonment
upto 7 years and with fine.
• Any person who stores pornographic material involving a
child shall be liable to imprisonment which may extend
upto 3 years or fine or both.
• Any person who helps or aids any person in the
commission of any offence under this act shall be liable to
punishment provided for that offence.