Abstract
Child sexual abuse has its influence on multiple dimensions through crises in lawful, social, medical, and psychological matters. While child sexual abuse involves the child in a physical deed, its harmful developments are predominantly shown in the child's psyche. Its considerable risk factors for developing psychopathology lie not just in childhood and adolescence, but also into adulthood. Child sexual abuse is highly under-reported in India, which has attained epidemic proportions. It is still seen as a taboo, creating a sense of discomfort where most communities try to hide, ignore, or mistrust the accusations. In healthcare, it thus becomes paramount to understand the warning signs, the likelihood of revelation while interviewing, and the dynamics of the family about culture and implications that can come along with the abuse. With a keen understanding of the types of abuse and an awareness of the proceedings after the disclosure, safety can be targeted.
TopPrevalence: Global/Indian Context
A study by the Indian Government on 17,220 youths to estimate the load of sexual abuse revealed startling outcomes. It was revealed that one of every two children in the nation was sexually maltreated. 52.94% of these juveniles were boys. The most prominent accounts of Child sexual abuse were reported in the states of Assam (57.27%), pursued by Delhi (41%), Andhra Pradesh (33.87%) and Bihar (33.27%).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Public Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives aimed at disseminating information about child sexual abuse, its indicators, and repercussions to foster an informed community capable of identifying and addressing potential threats (Chatterjee et al., 2006 AU137: The in-text citation "Chatterjee et al., 2006" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA): Unwanted or inappropriate sexual behavior or activity imposed on a child, often resulting in profound psychological and emotional trauma ( Stoltenborgh et al., 2011 ).
Mandatory Reporting Laws: Legal obligations requiring professionals to report suspected cases of child sexual abuse, ensuring a safeguarding network for children and holding perpetrators accountable (Parasuraman, et al., 2006 AU136: The in-text citation "Parasuraman, et al., 2006" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).
Authoritarian Parenting: A parenting style characterized by strict rules, high demands, and limited emotional expression, often leading to obedience but potential emotional difficulties for the child ( Belsky, 1984 ).
Trauma-Informed Interviewing: A sensitive and specialized approach used when interviewing potential child sexual abuse victims, taking into account their age, developmental differences, trauma, and emotional distress, aiming to gather accurate information while minimizing harm to the child.
Cultural Norms: Accepted and expected behaviors within a particular society or community, influencing various aspects of life, including perceptions of child sexual abuse and reporting dynamics.
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Therapeutic approaches designed to address the psychological impact of trauma, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), tailored to survivors of child sexual abuse (Cohen et al., 2006 AU138: The in-text citation "Cohen et al., 2006" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).