THE SCENARIO OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE POCSO ACT: AN OVERVIEW
AUTHOR – SAMRIDHI SOUMYA, STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF ALLAHABAD
Best Citation – SAMRIDHI SOUMYA, THE SCENARIO OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE POCSO ACT: AN OVERVIEW, ILE JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY, VICTIMOLOGY AND PENOLOGY JURISPRUDENCE (ILE JCVPJ), 1 (1) of 2023, Pg. 22-30, APIS – 3920 – 0050 | ISBN – 978-81-964391-3-2.
ABSTRACT
Children are considered the pillar of our society. The new growing generation is the future of the country and to let them develop and grow in a safe environment is the most basic instinct people have. However, they are the most vulnerable members of the society. Reports suggest that two out of three children have faced physical abuse in their life. In a report published by Statista Research Department, in 2021 in Delhi, the crime rate against children was found to be 128.5 per 100,000 children[1]. In India, crimes against children are widespread. Sexual abuse of children is one of the most frequently existing problems that is observed in India and globally respectively. The lifelong trauma that continues in the life of the victims is too severe, taking a toll on their physical and mental health. Sexual abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported, leading to the continuous exploitation of children. This paper will discuss the condition and stand of child sexual abuse persisting in India, the societal aspects that revolve around it, and the legal advancement in the field of CSA with a special reference to the POCSO Act.
KEYWORDS – Child Sexual Abuse, Crimes against minors, POCSO Act, Minors, Sexual Offenses
[1] Rate of crime against children reported in India in 2021, by state, available at, https://www.statista.com/statistics/633798/reported-crime-rate-against-children-by-state-india/#:~:text=In%20India%20in%202021%2C%20the,cases%20per%20100%2C000%20child%20population (last visited June 8, 2023).