DailyPost 427
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN INSTITUTIONS
Preventing child sexual abuse is now the mission of Noble Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi, gives us an indication of magnitude of the problem. Most part of the child’s day happens to be spend in educational institutions mainly. Only of late this issue has hit the roof and issues pertaining to schools are out in the open and so is the public outrage at times.
The genesis is not recent as the public outrage, it has a vintage. All stakeholders children, parents & entire society has to break the silence. Only then the correctional mechanism would start in right earnest. The problem is at right at the crossroads of psychology / sociology / law / judiciary & correctional service. The complexity is self explanatory. Given the age of the child & time spend & impact the teacher has on his / her life, the role of the educator is pivotal.
To tackle the gravity of the situation, The Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act 2012, was enacted. The educator is legally mandated to inform of the commission of a child sexual abuse. Legal responsibility apart, the intense interaction with the students provides them the maximum opportunity to prevent such abuse. The educator should have the skills, through training & practice, to locate the symptoms and take correctional action. In case of an offence, he would conversant with the response mechanism. He would also be the biggest support to the victim, the child.
The shame is not in something happening, the shame is in, not rectifying it legally& taking all other concurrent actions. Law is certainly there, stringent too, but it comes into motion by human beings. In all the three areas of awareness, preventing & reporting, the educators are positioned most critically with immense potential & acumen to make the difference. The society awaits for their proactive contribution. Parents would follow, mindsets would change, systems would mature and hopefully children would live sans fear. The positive beginning has to happen.
EDUCATORS CAN STEM THE TIDE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
Sanjay Sahay