Child sexual abuse remains one of the most heinous crimes even in progressive societies. (Image: DC)
Tirupati: Child sexual abuse remains one of the most heinous crimes even in progressive societies. Most such perpetrators are not strangers, but from known circles. Many of them are from within the wider family.
Such indulgence involves a breach of trust. Ironically, it disrupts spaces that are supposed to be safe — homes, schools and communities —where children look up for protection and support.
Such persons exploit the trust and inflict trauma on innocent children. This will have a lasting impact on their future lives.
“For a child, life should be filled with joy, a sense of exploration and safety. Yet today, many of these spaces are tainted by predators who prey on children’s innocence, turning their world into a dark alley of fear and pain,” says child rights activist Malasani Yamini Priya.
She highlights a disturbing pattern where offenders silence their young victims through threats and violence, denying them the carefree joys of childhood.
The situation in Chittoor district illustrates this crisis. Data reveals an alarming trend in child sexual abuse cases. In the last five years, 242 cases have been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Some 70 to 80 per cent of the offenders are individuals from known circles —family members, neighbours or other trusted individuals.
Police records in Chittoor show fluctuating figures -- 61 cases reported in 2021, followed by 56 in 2022, 47 in 2023 and 40 cases in 2024. A decline in the trend is noticeable, but child rights activists like Yamini suggest that it may likely mean an underreporting rather than a real reduction in such incidents.
“Families, fearing community backlash, often refrain from filing complaints, leaving young victims to suffer in silence,” she notes.
A more distressing side about these cases is the involvement of those in authority—teachers, family elders and religious leaders — who exploit the trust placed in them.
According to reports, nearly 35 per cent of POSCO offenders wield ‘power’ over their victims. “Perpetrators are often individuals the child respects, making it difficult for her to speak out or even understand that what’s happening to them is wrong,” notes a senior police officer handling such cases.
“Almost 90 percent of abused children do not disclose their trauma until someone close to them detects some signs,” says a woman police officer involved in child counselling. She stresses the importance making children understand what’s ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’, from an early age. Parents should be encouraged to communicate openly with their children about safety.
Drug abuse has emerged as a factor in many abuse cases in Chittoor and Tirupati districts, involving ganja and other narcotics. Substance abuse lowers offenders’ inhibitions, increasing the scope for crimes against children. Activists are seeking stringent anti-narcotics measures as a crucial step toward preventing abuse.
In Chittoor and Tirupati districts, the police have improved response times to POCSO cases. Most offenders are arrested within 24 hours of the crime being reported. However, due to the close connections between offenders and victims’ families, there is often reluctance to pursue legal action.
“Around 75 to 80 percent of the POCSO cases involve individuals from the same community or neighbourhood. This makes it harder for families to proceed legally,” a police officer noted.
To help prevent further abuse, health experts urge parents to be vigilant, particularly those with busy schedules who may leave their children in the care of others.
Dr Shravan Krishna Reddy, Consultant paediatrician and neonatologist from The Family Tree Clinic, advises parents to regularly engage children in family discussions. “Ask children about their day, where they went, and who they were with. This isn’t just about physical safety; it’s about fostering trust, so they feel safe to share their discomfiture, if any,” he says.
He also recommends that schools play a role in teaching children about ‘boundaries’ and personal safety.
Such persons exploit the trust and inflict trauma on innocent children. This will have a lasting impact on their future lives.
“For a child, life should be filled with joy, a sense of exploration and safety. Yet today, many of these spaces are tainted by predators who prey on children’s innocence, turning their world into a dark alley of fear and pain,” says child rights activist Malasani Yamini Priya.
She highlights a disturbing pattern where offenders silence their young victims through threats and violence, denying them the carefree joys of childhood.
The situation in Chittoor district illustrates this crisis. Data reveals an alarming trend in child sexual abuse cases. In the last five years, 242 cases have been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Some 70 to 80 per cent of the offenders are individuals from known circles —family members, neighbours or other trusted individuals.
Police records in Chittoor show fluctuating figures -- 61 cases reported in 2021, followed by 56 in 2022, 47 in 2023 and 40 cases in 2024. A decline in the trend is noticeable, but child rights activists like Yamini suggest that it may likely mean an underreporting rather than a real reduction in such incidents.
“Families, fearing community backlash, often refrain from filing complaints, leaving young victims to suffer in silence,” she notes.
A more distressing side about these cases is the involvement of those in authority—teachers, family elders and religious leaders — who exploit the trust placed in them.
According to reports, nearly 35 per cent of POSCO offenders wield ‘power’ over their victims. “Perpetrators are often individuals the child respects, making it difficult for her to speak out or even understand that what’s happening to them is wrong,” notes a senior police officer handling such cases.
“Almost 90 percent of abused children do not disclose their trauma until someone close to them detects some signs,” says a woman police officer involved in child counselling. She stresses the importance making children understand what’s ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’, from an early age. Parents should be encouraged to communicate openly with their children about safety.
Drug abuse has emerged as a factor in many abuse cases in Chittoor and Tirupati districts, involving ganja and other narcotics. Substance abuse lowers offenders’ inhibitions, increasing the scope for crimes against children. Activists are seeking stringent anti-narcotics measures as a crucial step toward preventing abuse.
In Chittoor and Tirupati districts, the police have improved response times to POCSO cases. Most offenders are arrested within 24 hours of the crime being reported. However, due to the close connections between offenders and victims’ families, there is often reluctance to pursue legal action.
“Around 75 to 80 percent of the POCSO cases involve individuals from the same community or neighbourhood. This makes it harder for families to proceed legally,” a police officer noted.
To help prevent further abuse, health experts urge parents to be vigilant, particularly those with busy schedules who may leave their children in the care of others.
Dr Shravan Krishna Reddy, Consultant paediatrician and neonatologist from The Family Tree Clinic, advises parents to regularly engage children in family discussions. “Ask children about their day, where they went, and who they were with. This isn’t just about physical safety; it’s about fostering trust, so they feel safe to share their discomfiture, if any,” he says.
He also recommends that schools play a role in teaching children about ‘boundaries’ and personal safety.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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