Breaking the Silence
February 7, 2013

Breaking the Silence

Child Sexual Abuse in India

Summary
Key Recommendations
The Central Government Should:
The State Governments Should:
Methodology
I. Child Sex Abuse in India
II. Inadequate Responses in Cases of Abuse
Within the Family and Community
Jyoti's Story
Emotional Conflict in Reporting Abuse: Case of Deepti
Angry Response by Family Members: Case of Aditi and Ria
Ostracism by Community: Case of a 12-year-old in Varanasi
Settling Privately to Avoid Stigma: Abuse of a Two-year-old near Varanasi
Fearing Retaliation: Case of Nikhil
Abuse in Schools
Case of a Government School in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Case of a Government School in Chikkaballapur District, Karnataka
III. Failure of the Justice System
The Police
Case of Mandeep
Case of Krishna
Case of Neha
Case of Abida
Traumatic Medical Examinations
Case of a Three-year-old in Bengaluru
Case of Radha
The Courts
Case of Nandini
Case of Amrita
IV. Abuse in Institutional Facilities
Case of Drone Foundation, Haryana
Case of Apna Ghar, Haryana
Case of Shivkuti Shishu Grih, Allahabad
Case of Church of Christ Home for Needy Children and Widows, Bengaluru
Case of Arya Anathalaya, New Delhi
The Anchorage Shelter Home
V. Efforts to Ensure Child Protection
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act
National and State Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights
The Integrated Child Protection Scheme
Child Welfare Committees
Juvenile Justice Act
International law
VI. Recommendations
Steps the Central Government Should Take:
For Legal Reform and Policy Implementation
For Reforms to the Criminal Justice System
Steps the State Governments Should Take:
For Legal and Policy Implementation
For Reforms to the Criminal Justice System
International Actors, Including Donors and Aid Agencies, Should:
Acknowledgments