The Least Talked About Topic: Surge In Child Sexual Abuse Cases During Lock Down

During these two months of lock down, as the world dealt with an unprecedented pandemic, another paralytic bane of society grew unchecked. Child sexual abuse witnessed a dizzying rise during this period of lock down, as reported by numerous news agencies across the country. 

The rise in these instances of violence within the family could be majorly attributed to the lock down, but it highlights a more concerning situation. This lock down seems to have only exacerbated an already abysmal situation in the country. More than 100 children were abused every single day in the country in the year 2018, as per the report by India Today. 

The impact of the virus originated from Wuhan was most tangibly seen in sectors of the economy and social landscape. The lockdown was aimed at combating the detrimental effect on these sectors. What remained untouched was the mental health of people, which led to a huge spike in domestic violence and child abuse. The distress calls received on the child helping 1098 increased more than 50 percent after the month of March, which was when the lock down was announced. A letter had been written to Chief Justice of India SA Bobde requesting him to take suo motu cognizance of an increase in the number of child abuse cases during the lock down. What has been equally distressing is the rise in consumption of child porn by more than 95 percent, despite the government’s efforts to ban websites that had content related to child pornography. 

It is not considered safe for children who have been abused sexually to stay at home as it would result in further suffering and trauma by the hands of their family members. During the lock down, however, there has been no other alternative available to these children, and the isolation has led to absolute devastation of help networks and focus groups which aimed at helping survivors and tackling child abuse. 

Given the situation and the statistics, the government should take immediate steps to mitigate child abuse. The lock down, which undisputedly led to an increase in psychological distress, mental health problems, financial stress among numerous other issues, has worsened the situation, with no aid in sight for the victim. The most pertinent reason for the rise in cases could be attributed to a lack of access to safety by victims. 

In normal times, someone living with an abuser and feeling unsafe might be able to place a phone call to a help hotline, to police, or to a friend or family member who might be able to help, when the abuser is at work or out of the house. Under the lock down, however, the abuser may never leave the house long enough for that call to take place.

This trend is not only in our country but all over the world. Child victims all over the world have suffered through literally the worst two months someone could have possibly imagined. Several factors have played a role to bring the situation to this alarming level, screaming for immediate action by child welfare committees as well as governments and other bodies focused on tackling child abuse. This also raises questions as to whether the lock down itself was worth all this hassle or not – and if yes, then what steps could have been forethought and prepared to prevent such an atrocious situation for children who have been abused.

The article has been written by our Amol - Mr. Anshuman Gupta

We are proud to have you onboard with us.

References: Children sexually abused in India everyday in 2018, India Today; Challenges helping abuse victims during quarantine, The Atlantic.