As per data gathered by the CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF), neighbours have been identified as perpetrators in 35% of total reported cases of child sexual abuse. CIF, appointed as a nodal agency by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding children’s rights nationwide. It manages the CHILDLINE helpline 1098, delivering an essential emergency service for children requiring assistance.
Childline India Foundation (CIF): A Lifeline for Children
CIF is recognised as the most extensive network of agencies dedicated to protecting children. Having received official appointment from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, CIF manages CHILDLINE helpline 1098—an emergency, free phone service for vulnerable children. Furthermore, it holds the sole responsibility for establishing the CHILDLINE service throughout the country. This includes monitoring service delivery and finances, managing training programs, conducting research, documenting cases, generating awareness about children’s rights, advocating on behalf of children and gathering resources to support the service.
Key Insights from the CIF Data
The information compiled by CIF highlights that the maximum number of phone calls to the helpline sought intervention for abuse cases—accounting for 17% of the total calls. The remaining calls were to report child labour (13%), seek advice on education (12%), report runaway children (11%) and missing children (11%).
The Nature of Reported Abuse
CIF’s analysis of the nature of abuse suffered by children revealed some harrowing trends. Child marriage topped the list accounting for 37% of the complaints. Physical abuse was the second most reported type of abuse with 27% of the calls, followed by sexual abuse making up 13% of the reports. Other forms of abuse like emotional, corporal, domestic, and cyber abuse constituted the remaining 23% of complaints.
Identifying the Abusers: The Profile of Perpetrators
The analysis of abuse cases showed a troubling pattern where 35% of the total 8,000 cases of sexual abuse were committed by neighbours. Strangers contributed to 25% of these cases, while family members were responsible for 11%. The remaining 29% of abuses were conducted by individuals familiar to the victims such as friends, relatives, teachers, institutional staff, hospital personnel, police officers, and step-parents.
Understanding the profile of abusers is instrumental in developing targeted interventions and preventive measures. It also helps in creating awareness about the potential dangers that children might face within and outside their homes.
