Question

What obstacles are in the way of having a clear definition of child sexual abuse? What could be done about these obstacles?

Answer 1

There are many obstacles in the way of having a clear definition of child sexual abuse as every day something new is coming up in the limelight. This is not just limited to what we see and feel. There are so many components to it that one may even start to revalidate the methods by which it happens as we hear different forms and variants of it.Children are inconsistent and are eager to please adults. Testimony is difficult and unreliable, even when the truth is being told.There are numerous cases that are dismissed or never charged simply because of a lack of evidence.There are so many  children who do not come forward at all, and eventually fall through the cracks of the system. We need to advocate for raising awareness of the unacceptability of child sexual abuse, and promoting the notion that stopping child sexual abuse is everyone’s responsibility. We need to evaluate and re consider the existing programs aimed at helping the children and ensure they are updated based on the real life scenarios. We have to provide all kinds of health services to the affected children and ensure the harm can be reduced as much possible.