UPSC MAINS SYLLABUS
Sociology – Paper 2 – Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
GS 2 – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
- Child Abuse can be defined as harming (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child.
- Violence against children is widespread and remains a harsh reality for millions of children from all socio-economic groups in India.
- Both girls and boys in India face early marriage, domestic abuse, sexual violence, violence at home and in school, trafficking, online violence, child labour and bullying.
- Most child abuse occurs within the family. Risk factors include parental depression or other mental health issues, a parental history of childhood abuse or neglect, parental substance abuse, and domestic violence.
TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE
- Physical abuse occurs when a child’s body is injured as a result of hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or other show of force.
- Sexual abuse is any sexual activity that a child cannot understand or consent to. It includes acts such as fondling, oral-genital contact, and genital and anal intercourse. It also includes exhibitionism, voyeurism, and exposure to pornography.
- Child neglect can include physical neglect (failing to provide food, clothing, shelter, or other physical necessities), emotional neglect (not providing love, comfort, or affection), and medical or educational neglect (not providing access to needed medical care or education), or supervisory neglect (failure to appropriately supervise).
CONSEQUENCES
- Children who are abused and neglected may suffer immediate physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones, as well as emotional and psychological problems, such as impaired social-emotional skills or anxiety.
- Emotional and psychological abuse, physical abuse, and neglect deny the child the tools needed to cope with stress, and to learn new skills to become resilient, strong, and successful.
- So a child who is maltreated or neglected may have a wide range of reactions and may even become depressed or develop suicidal, withdrawn, or violent behavior.
- Chronic abuse may result in toxic stress, which can change brain development and increase the risk for problems like post-traumatic stress disorder and learning, attention, and memory difficulties.
- As they get older, they may show learning difficulties, use drugs or alcohol, try to run away, refuse discipline, or abuse others. As an adult, they may develop marital and sexual difficulties, depression, or suicidal behavior.
NCRB DATA
- The National Crime Record Bureau’s “Crime in India” 2019 report has revealed that crimes against children increased by 4.5 per cent in 2019 as compared to 2018. The report added that there was also an 18.9 per cent increase registration of cases under the POCSO Act.
- In its report, NCRB stated that as many as 1,48,185 crimes against children were reported in 2019 in the country.
- Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of crimes against girl children under the POCSO Act with 7,444 cases. This was followed by Maharashtra with 6,402 cases and MP with 6,053 cases.
RELATED LAWS
Who is a child ?
A child is also defined as anyone under 18 years of age under the following Indian national laws
and policies:
The Juvenile Justice (Care And Protection Of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act)
National Policy for Children, 2013
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (2012)
- Article 21(A) of India’s Constitution of India states: The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 – 14 years.
- Articles 41, 45 and 46 of the Constitution contain Directive Principles of State Policy, which state that the State should endeavour to provide education.
- According to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (referred to as the JJ Act), inquiry, restoration, rehabilitation and reintegration of a child in need of care and protection is to be dealt with by a Child Welfare Committee.
- To combat female infanticide, the main law for prosecuting persons who are engaging in sex selective abortion is the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
- Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933 declares any agreement by a parent or guardian to pledge the labour of a child below 15 years of age for payment or benefit other than reasonable wages, illegal and void. It also provides punishment for such parent or guardian as well as those who employ a child whose labour is pledged.
- The Indian Penal Code 1860 – The IPC punishes cheating, fraud, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, procuring minors, buying and selling of minors for immoral purposes.
- The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (2012) (POCSO Act) is a special law enacted to deal with the sexual abuse of children. A wide range of sexual offences are covered by this law and it addresses offences against all children below the age of 18 years irrespective of gender. As the POCSO Act ruled out the question of consent in the case of children below the age of 18 years, Art Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code sets the age of consent as 18 and therefore sexual intercourse with a minor is deemed as rape. (Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013).
