Report: Physical and sexual buse of Indian children 'common'

Is the prevalence of child physical and sexual abuse tied to increasing Westernization? Or is it the awareness and reporting of child abuse that are tied to economic progress?

Two out of every three children in India are physically abused, according to a landmark government study.

Commissioned by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the study says 53% of the surveyed children reported one or more forms of sexual abuse.

This is the first time the government has done such an exhaustive survey on the controversial issue of child abuse.

Abuse of children, particularly sexual abuse, is rarely admitted in India and activists have welcomed the study.

Releasing the report at a press conference in the capital, Delhi, Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said: "In India there's a tradition of denying child abuse. It doesn't happen here is what we normally say.

"But by remaining silent, we have aided and abetted the abuse of children."

'More than half' of Indian children suffer sexual abuse

The Times

Wed Apr 11

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