Sir,

Every next day we get to hear news of girls either minor or major becomes a victim of sex abuse, but we hardly talk about boys as being victims of the same. Child sex abuse causes harm to child’s health, survival, development and dignity. It even traumatizes the child. Girls are not only the victim of sex abuse but boys also are.

Recently a 24-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh wrote a letter to the president of India asking for mercy killing because he cannot bear the trauma of being a victim of sex abuse as a child. He informed that he was sexually abused by his cousin when he was eight and then by his high school teacher.

He said that when he informed his parents they were shocked as they had heard of girls being raped but not of a boy. They did not even file a case as they thought nobody will believe them. He admitted that “I have written this letter to highlight the case that boys also are victim of sex abuse”. “Even today I get nightmares of those incidents that disturb me” he added.

Recently a 12 year old boy in Mumbai was also raped after which he committed suicide and the postmortem report clarified it. According to a study conducted by the ministry of women and child welfare, in India, 53.94% of boys are victims of sexual abuse.

But the cases of boys being raped and abused go un-reported and un-recognized because of the belief that a male cannot be a victim of rape or physical assault. This stereotype of society becomes a barrier for a victim (boys) to share and complaint about their pain and agony. Candle marches and rallies are organized asking justice for girls but need to talk about the boys also.

yours truly

Priyanka

BMC 5th SEM [St. Xavier’s College of Mgmt. & Tech.]

  child abuse, child rights, letters, POCSO