Campaign launched to create awareness among children to identify sexual-abuse
What's the story
Amnesty International India today launched a new campaign aimed at creating awareness among children to help them identify sexual abuse.
The campaign "Our Safety, Our Rights" seeks to empower children to speak up and report sexual abuse without fear.
Amnesty International India will manage the campaign in collaboration with Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, People's Action for Rural Awakening (PARA), and Institute of Social Education.
Information
Around 50,000 students, parents will be sensitized on sexual abuse
Amnesty International India will engage with children in 400 schools, across four Indian states and through this campaign, an estimated 50,000 students, parents, teachers, and other key stakeholders will be sensitized on child sexual abuse.
Children empowerment
We want to empower children on sexual abuse: PARA's Director
"At a time when there's an alarming increase in reports of child sexual abuse, it's critical to empower children to be aware of the issue and protect themselves," said Rajakumari Michaelsamy, Program Manager of Human Rights Education Program at Amnesty International India.
"We want to empower children to stand up and break the silence around child sexual abuse," said Ignatius Vattigunta, Director of PARA.
Child rapes
Child rapes have increased by over 82% in 2016: NCRB
The latest National Crime Records Bureau data published in 2016 revealed that incidents of child rape have increased by over 82% when compared to 2015.
The data showed that over 19,000 cases of child rape were registered across the country under the IPC and POCSO Act and, a total of around 36,000 cases of child sex abuse were recorded under POCSO Act alone.