SEXUAL ABUSE OF STREET CHILDREN: A STUDY

Abstract

A child is at risk when concerns for the safety. Children are broadly the assets of the society and neglecting the children somehow will be a loss to the society. Street children are quite vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Their unsafe conditions on the street, increases the instances of paedophilia. Physical and Psychological damage inflicted by exploitation makes it one of the most hazardous forms of child labour. Hence the study explores the experience of sexual abuse among street children. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. The analysis was done to interpret ‘sexual abuse’ in the extent of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The study found that the street children witnessed different types of sexual abuses ranging from touching of private parts of such children to displaying of pornography. Though there is a specific legislation to protect children from the offense of sexual abuse but street children are not being able to avail such protection owing to their vulnerable living condition. Any kind of sexual abuse, physical or emotional abuse of children jeopardize their educational, social and psychological growth. Therefore, it is the duty of the society to develop and provide a safety net to the upbringing of these street children along with the other vulnerable children. The study suggests that the general public are required to be aware about the POCSO Act. Civil society should be strengthened to help street children to protect themselves from sexual abuse and to get justice in case of such abuse. In this regard the Street Children (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2001 is also required to be passed. The role of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights is quite significant to protect street children from abuses.