Thursday, April 14, 2011

CSAAM April 2011 | Speak up – That’s the least your child deserves.



Children are like little bundles of innocence and miracle. They are meant to be nurtured and cared for. They deserve every ounce of protection that parents can provide. Birth of a child is considered as one of the most joyous occasions in the life of an individual. Then why do the same individuals fail to protect their cherished child? Why is it that the society and appearances become more important than insuring justice for your child?
Whether we accept it or not, whether we talk about it or not, the fact remains that more than 50% children have been sexual abused. This happens across sections of societies and to both girls and boys.

Confrontation is not easy for most people. It requires grit to break shackles and speak up. But how can people not confront the person who has harmed their own children. Why is it that when it comes to dealing with the abuser of their own child, these parents decide to remain silent.
The social stigma has long been associated with the victim. The burden of shame has long been on the tender shoulder of the abused. The families in most cases ignore the signs and even if they notice they try and hush the matter. The first reaction in most cases is to take no notice of it, and even when noticed, more often than not, the next reaction is of disbelief. 

And then the ever prevalent belief that something like this will not happen to “us and our children”. Of course, no one likes to live in constant fear and paranoia. But isn’t shutting eyes an extremely lame thing to do?

Things need to change and change begins with you. There frankly is no more space left under the carpet now. Too much of hushing and shoving has happened. Time we start accepting and talking about it.

Educating, discussing about CSA and bringing it out of the closet are the initial steps towards prevention. Only if the child knows what is right and what is wrong will he/she alert parents. Instilling confidence and believing the child is the next step. And god forbid if something happens; there should be absolutely no question about punishing the abuser. For your own conscience and for your child. How else will you be able to look into those eyes ever again without feeling guilty?

Thinking back, I realize how protective my parents always were. Without making my sister 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. 

4 comments:

Life Begins said...

Yes i agree, the least we can do is not to ignore any signs from our children and speak up. We need to stand up and become that steady wall between our kids and those perpetrators.
Let world be a safer place for the innocent smiles!

Anonymous said...

Very well put, Iya..

I agree that we cannot, in humanly possible ways, sanitize the environment for our kids. We cannot be there with them 24*7 throughout their lives to protect them... But we can be aware and let them grow up into strong individuals.. And let these incidents not scar them forever..

roop said...

well said, Iya!

parenthood is a tough job. toughest there can be. but if we choose to bring a life into this world, it is our responsibility to do the best we can. i wish all of us could be cognitive parents over emotionally-reactive parents.

Iya said...

Thanks Ladies!
Thats the primary responsibilities that we as adult carry. Why just parents, it should be upto all of us to ensure that this society is safe for children.