Opinion Breaking the silence on child sexual abuse in the home: Why Khushbu Sundar’s story matters

This was the reason Shreya (name changed) finally reported the abuse she was facing to the police. For years, she was unsafe in her own home. But she decided that that would not be the case for her younger siblings. Shreya is one of the many children that one of the authors of this piece has come across in her prior work with children in the Indian judicial system.

Child sexual abuse within the home occurs irrespective of one’s socio-economic status, education qualification, religion, caste, gender, etc. On March 6, Khushbu Sundar, a politician, actor, and film producer, shared that she had been sexually abused as a child by her father. The incident has drawn much-needed attention to abuse within the family which, more often than not, is swept under the carpet.

Growing up, many of us heard the phrase “stranger danger”, and were often told “Do not talk to a stranger” in an attempt to keep us safe. The danger, however, lurks closer to home sometimes. In more instances than we think, a child faces abuse from a person they trust and know, such as a family member, relative, neighbour, or a person in a position of authority.

In 97.1 per cent of the reported cases of child sexual abuse, the offender was someone known to the child, according to the Crimes in India 2021 report (NCRB data). In 2,885 of the 33,848 reported cases, children were abused by an immediate family member. While the number of reported cases is staggering, the incidence of domestic child sexual abuse is much higher.

Abuse by a trusted person, such as an immediate family member, relative, neighbour, or someone in a position of authority is underreported. Lack of awareness surrounding the issue; fear of retaliation; social stigma; financial dependence on the abuser; fear of further abuse; victim blaming; and fear of not being believed can dissuade children from reporting sexual abuse within their households. Despite improvement in the reporting of cases in recent years, a culture of silence is the reality in many homes.

Sharing, as Sundar did, vitally encourages conversations on addressing child abuse and child protection. Public figures sharing their stories of surviving abuse can help increase awareness about the prevalence of child abuse and the lasting impact it can have on the life of the child and their loved ones. It can highlight the need for implementing more preventive measures and give children going through similar situations comfort and encouragement to report such incidents.

There is ample evidence of public discourse evolving thanks to the contributions of a well-known person. A recent example is the spike in conversations around mental health since actor and producer Deepika Padukone opened up about her struggles. It encouraged dialogue on living with mental health issues and how to reach out for help. Celebrities speaking out publicly on such sensitive issues creates larger spaces for conversations and helps reduce stigma around the topic.

The power of public dialogue was seen during an initiative called The Minor Project (The authors were a part of this initiative). Aimed at promoting a safe, protected, and violence-free childhood for all, it reached more than 11.2 million social-media accounts. The campaign became a space for the young and the old to share their personal stories of child abuse, violence, and trauma.

Bringing attention to and initiating conversations on the issue helps, but this must lead to action — individual and community-based. The ecosystem closest to the child — the family and the community — must be strengthened. This community is made up of each of us. We need to not shy away from these conversations, however uncomfortable, at home, on WhatsApp groups and in our neighbourhood circles, etc. We must each learn how to identify children’s needs and find ways to support children in an effort to prevent them from being in vulnerable situations.

Equipping ourselves, family members, friends, and others with the knowledge of support mechanisms, such as CHILDLINE 1098, the Child Welfare Committee, and the District Child Protection Unit could help create a safer environment for children. It is time to bring the conversation home.

The writers are child rights social workers currently working at Leher, a child rights knowledge and practice organisation. Views are personal