Come, protect the children of our nation with Save the Children.

 

Any form of brutality has long-lasting repercussions on the general development of a child, resulting in potential harm to the child’s health, daily existence, growth, and honor. According to reports from a government-commissioned examination, 53% of children face some form of abuse in India. Additionally, the National Crime Records Bureau reports that the number of children rape and murder cases increase every year. This is why the child protection policy in India needs to be reinforced thoroughly leaving no stone unturned.

Growing convolutions of life along with changes in the socio-economic condition of the society often lead to children being exposed to various forms of abuse. Most times, owing to the child’s innocence and state of vulnerability, they do not understand that they have been mistreated or have been taken advantage of. Child abuse, thus, is a violation of a child’s basic human rights. They need to be protected through the child protection policy in India.

The effects of child abuse are far-fetching. Listed below are a few of the effects that may occur immediately or over a period of time. What we must, as a responsible society, do is that we must educate ourselves to observe and identify these behavioral patterns so that the child can be extracted out of the ill environment and immediately be given help/counselling.

Physical abuse includes inflicting any kind of physical injury on a child, for example burning, hitting, punching, shaking, kicking, and beating or in any way harming a child. The effects of physical abuse are usually unexplained but are visible through marks of injuries, bruises, cuts, welts, etc. The behaviour of the child who has been physically harmed is generally very fearful and inexplicably shy.

Sexual abuse is a sexual act committed towards a child, which includes stroking a child’s genitals, making the child maul the adult’s genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, pedication, exhibitionism, and sexual mistreatment. This may result in the child knowing information that isn’t appropriate for his/her age, displaying an interest in sexual acts, indulgence in aggressive or passive behaviour that is completely different from their usual demeanour. Physical signs could include swelling, bruises, bleeding in the genital area, etc. The child could have issues standing and/or sitting.

Emotional abuse has many forms and consists of oral abuse, mental abuse, and emotional ill-treatment. It comprises of acts or the failures by parents or a caretaker to act that has caused or could cause a sombre behavioural, cognitive, emotional, or mental disturbance. Its result could range from unwarranted nervousness and fright to extreme behaviour patterns and/or unsuitable manners. Neglect is the failure to provide for the child’s basic needs, which can be physical, educational, or emotional. Owing to this, the child may display troublesome and/or disruptive behaviour. He/she would usually be unkempt because of bad hygiene and will be left unsupervised.

The effects of child abuse not only jeopardize society but also puts an entire generation at risk. One must work against it just like Save the Children.

Want to know more? Visit us on www.savethechildren.in