Children are like bundles of innocence, they are like flowers, tender, meant to be cared for. They are like a candle that needs to be lit. They deserve every bit of protection and safety that parents or for that matter society can provide. Whether we accept it or not, whether we talk about it or not, its a fact that more than 30% of children below the age of 12, have been sexually abused, at one time or another. This happens in all sections of the society be it a boy or a girl. It is difficult for us to confront such incidents. Sometimes it needs a little extra help to break the ice and speak up. I do not understand why people do not talk about it? I mean you have complaints about the government, hike in the prices, but you do not talk about something which harmed you own child. Why is it that when it comes to dealing with the abuser, parents decide to remain silent!!?? This is because most of the times the abuser is a member of the family or someone who is close to the family.
The problem is we think about the social effect associated with the incident, the burden of shame, the family has to face. Do we ever for a second think what the abused is going through?? The families in most case ignore the signs, they hush the matter even if they notice. The famous dialogues..... What will happen to "Us and our children"?, it would tarnish our image in the society!! Well while you are busy running away from a life of fear and paranoia, you fail to see that you are pushing your kid in to it. Yeah shutting eyes and ignoring something is so cool isn't it??!!Things have to change and change begins with you. There has been too much of hushing and the silence of the victims is deafening to the ear. Its high time we start accepting and speaking out about it.
The first step to bring them out of it is educating and discussing about Child sexual abuse. If children know what is right and what is wrong will they alert the parents about such a thing? Believing them and instilling confidence is the best way to get them out of it or how else will you be able to look in to those eyes without feeling guilty ever again!!Thinking back, I realize how protective my parents always were. Without making my brother and me a mistrustful bunch of kids, they always ensured that we were under the right and the watchful eyes.
They told us what was right and wrong and we knew they would trust us if at all something like this happened.
Children deserve a happy and a safe childhood. And no matter what we as adults have to provide it.
