Jul 22 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
2 out of 3 Indian schoolkids physically abused: Study
DurgeshNandan.jha@timesgroup.com
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New Delhi
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70% Never Report Abuse; Those In 5-12 Yrs Group Worse Off
The recent instance of a 6-year-old child being sexually abused at a school in Bangalore has raised serious concerns about the safety of schoolkids. Psychologists say early detection of behavioural issues in kids and sensitizing them to `wrong touch' is important to tackle such cases.“Sexual abuse in school is a reality. More often than not, the perpetrators are the people trusted by children. It can be the bus driver or conductor who picks them up from home or teachers and other staff members,“ said Dr Jitender Nagpal, consultant psychiatrist at Moolchand Hospital. He said kids between 5 and 10 years of age often fail to comprehend what is happening or don't tell their parents for fear of being scolded.
“The first thing is to open up with the child and counsel them about the right and wrong touch. A stranger hugging them tightly or getting too close physically is not normal. The child should be told about it. The abusers should be given maximum punishment under law,“ Dr Nagpal added.
A study by the women and child development ministry reveals that two out of three schoolchildren in India are physically abused. The study , conducted with the help of Unicef, found that children in the 5-12 age-group have reported higher levels of abuse.
70% of the abused child respondents never even reported the matter.
Dr Sameer Malhotra, director of the department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, said the impact of child abuse is often seen in adulthood as well. “The victims find it difficult to trust anyone even when they grow up.
In some cases, depression and other complications are also seen,“ he said. Dr Malhotra said lack of sleep, an acute sense of helplessness and sudden withdrawal from society are warning signs.
“If the child withdraws from daily activities, avoids school, or refuses to meet anyone, parents should enquire about the reasons. Most of the time, abused children avoid going to the place of exploitation. Children should be encouraged to speak up,“ he said.
“The first thing is to open up with the child and counsel them about the right and wrong touch. A stranger hugging them tightly or getting too close physically is not normal. The child should be told about it. The abusers should be given maximum punishment under law,“ Dr Nagpal added.
A study by the women and child development ministry reveals that two out of three schoolchildren in India are physically abused. The study , conducted with the help of Unicef, found that children in the 5-12 age-group have reported higher levels of abuse.
70% of the abused child respondents never even reported the matter.
Dr Sameer Malhotra, director of the department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, said the impact of child abuse is often seen in adulthood as well. “The victims find it difficult to trust anyone even when they grow up.
In some cases, depression and other complications are also seen,“ he said. Dr Malhotra said lack of sleep, an acute sense of helplessness and sudden withdrawal from society are warning signs.
“If the child withdraws from daily activities, avoids school, or refuses to meet anyone, parents should enquire about the reasons. Most of the time, abused children avoid going to the place of exploitation. Children should be encouraged to speak up,“ he said.
