You can help protect children like Diya and Rahul from sexual abuse

(Names have been changed to protect the identity of the children)

Did you know that child sexual abuse is not confined to a particular gender, and, shockingly, that the victim knows the accused in the majority of the cases?

Rahul was only 10 years old when he was sexually abused by his grandfather. He was being touched inappropriately and made to watch films where adults were without clothes whenever they were alone in the house. Tragically, the abuse continued for two long years and would have gone on undetected if Rahul hadn’t attended the Personal Safety Education (PSE) conducted at his school by Arpan. After the PSE session, Rahul was able to build up courage to disclose his abuse to the Arpan trainer and was immediately referred for counselling. It helped empower him to speak to his mother and finally share this huge secret that had been eating away at him for so long.

Fortunately, his mother believed him, told him it wasn’t his fault, took action by speaking to the grandfather to stop the abuse immediately, and ensured that the grandfather does not have access to the child. She also worked with Arpan to create a safety plan so that abuse doesn’t happen again.

Diya’s story was different. After attending a PSE session run by Arpan at her school, she got the courage to confide in the trainer. Diya, aged 15, shared that she was being sexually abused by her father and elder brother since she was a child. When she tried telling her mother about it, her mother did not believe her. Diya was overwhelmed with her tragic situation and felt unsafe, helpless and unprotected at home, a place that was supposed to be her safe space and refuge from the world.

Diya was initially placed in a shelter home to keep her safe and Arpan helped facilitate this transition. She was also provided the necessary counselling support to help with her trauma. Eventually, Diya was able to return home safely after her father and brother were taken into custody.

These stories are heartbreaking to hear and no child should have to go through any kind of abuse. The trauma caused to their young minds and bodies can have a damaging lifelong impact, unless healed.

 At Arpan, we believe every child matters. Every child has a right to be safe and protected from sexual abuse and heal from its ill effects.

Arpan is India’s largest Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) non-profit organisation, with over 120 professionals providing vital prevention and intervention services to both children and adults. Our model has been proven to prevent sexual abuse and heal children who face it.

Please help support the safety of children like Diya and Rahul and stop child sexual abuse by donating today.