Child Sexual Abuse and the Law in India

Abstract

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) has only recently been publicly acknowledged as a problem in India. A welcome development has been the enactment of a special law “Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) 2012” criminalising a range of acts including child rape, harassment, and exploitation for pornography. The law mandates setting up of Special Courts to facilitate speedy trials in CSA cases. Profoundly, with the passing of POCSO has been a major step forward in securing children’s rights and furthering the cause of protecting children against sexual abuse in conjunction with a related legislation to clamp down on child marriages called the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006.Child Sexual Abuse is an alarming reality and is being increasingly reported in India as well as globally. Paediatricians and medical professionals are often the first point of contact with abused children and their families. They have a key role in detecting Child Sexual Abuse, providing long-term care and support to the victims and their families[1]. India has adopted the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) in 2012. It is a comprehensive law on sexual abuse, which expands the scope and range of forms of sexual offences, makes reporting of abuse mandatory and defines guidelines for the examination of victims.