Challenges in the Management of Child Sexual Abuse in India

The landmark Indian law, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, was enacted in 2012. For the first time this law, defined the different types of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and laid out guidelines to manage a child survivor. Reporting of either a definite or a suspected case to the police was made mandatory. The onus of reporting a case is on every Indian citizen. It also laid down provisions for care and protection for the child survivor. Unfortunately, authorities in India still conflate securing justice for survivors of sexual violence with convicting the assailants. Authorities often fail to focus on health issues that may have long- termconsequences, which include sexually transmitted infections, pregnancies, and psychological trauma. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the survivor that a multidisciplinary approach be implemented in a case of CSA. Efficient collaboration between professionals from Paediatrics, Paediatric Surgery, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Forensic Medicine & Toxicology is paramount. Given the wide range of physical and psychological symptoms a child presents with, Christian Medical College Vellore had initiated a multi-disciplinary team (POCSO Committee) including representatives from several departments including the above-mentioned. Experience of this tertiary care centre, in managing child survivors of CSA is shared here. Striving to achieve a holistic approach in this management of CSA in this country is the goal.