Sexually Abused 7 Years Ago, A Teenager Continues To Suffer Mental Trauma

Rahul (name changed) was like any other spritely youngster of his age, academically brilliant and full of life. But one fateful evening of August 2015, changed it all for Rahul. A 7-year-old boy was playing outside with his friends one day. Around 7pm, when Rahul did not return, his parents started to look for him frantically. After a 2-hour search, the family found the child loitering on a lonely street, fear written large on his face. Despite repeated questioning, the young boy stayed mum and went to sleep empty stomach.

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Around 4am the child woke up and complained of a severe stomach ache, but as it was early for the nearby clinic to be open, Rahul's father asked him to sleep next to him and comforted him. After two hours, the child complained of pain in the stomach and buttocks. When the father checked his pants, the child was profusely bleeding. His father immediately realised what had happened with their son and called the police. It was then that Rahul narrated what happened that evening.

The child informed the police that while he was playing, a man from neighbourhood took him to an isolated area and sexually abused him. Rahul also revealed that the accused hung him from a cliff and threatened him to keep quiet or face dire consequences. The little boy mustered enough courage and on police's insistence, he revealed the accused's name, leading to his arrest.

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It has been seven years since the incident. Now a 14-year-old teenager once used to be a cheerful and intelligent child who loved to play. Ever since the incident, Rahul struggles with anger issues, irritability, sleeplessness, and even struggles in studying.

The Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation's (KSCF) sister organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan intervened in the case, providing legal support. The case has now reached the Sentence stage. Talking about the support provided to the child, Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said,

We provided him with mental health counselling, trauma counselling to overcome his fear and inhibitions. We moved the application for compensation and he was given an interim compensation of Rs. 2 lakh. We provided him with legal support and the accused has been convicted.

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The case also points to the deep trauma and the far-reaching psychological impact on a child who has been sexually abused. Talking about the same, Dr Kamna Chhibber, Clinical Psychologist, Fortis Healthcare said,

A child experiencing sexual abuse is likely to develop problems like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, compromises their ability to feel safe and secure, to operate in relationships, to take care of their day-to-day functioning, and is likely to affect their physical and mental health in varying different ways.

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Justice For Every Child campaign will work to ensure legal and mental support to child victims of sexual abuse and rape and their families, Donate Now