Three-Year-Old Girl Sexually Abused By A Stranger

It has been nearly four months but three-year-old Tannu (name changed) is yet to get over the nightmare. Every single moment is like an ordeal for this little one. Her childhood robbed forever. It was in December last year that Tannu stepped out of her house finding the door open. As the little girl was playing in her neighbourhood, a stranger realised that she wasn't accompanied by any family member. He lured her and took her to an isolated place where he sexually abused the child. Little Tannu's world came crashing down as it were.

Also Read: 16-Year-Old From Faridabad Dies By Suicide After Being Bullied And Sexually Abused

Determined to get justice, her parents lodged an FIR. Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation's sister organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan was appointed as the support person in the case by the Child Welfare Committee. Legal aid was also provided to the family. BBA's efforts also translated into an interim compensation of Rs. 2 lakh awarded to the child. Though the accused has been arrested, the charge sheet is yet to be filed.

Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan said,

The case was brought to the notice of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and from there, our team was appointed as the support person. We started working with the victim's family. The child has received an interim compensation and is being counselled.

Also Read: 11-Year-Old Sexually Abused And Raped By A Neighbour In Bathinda, Police Refuses To File An FIR

Tannu's case highlights how abuse leaves children scarred for life. Little Tannu wakes up screaming at night and recoils at the sight of any stranger. Talking about the impact of the sexual abuse on the little girl's mental health, Mimansa Tanwar, Clinical Psychologist said,

Sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic experiences that children can have. More so, feelings of helplessness, horror, and trauma. Not just in the form of physical pain but even the emotional impact wherein the long-term, children may develop signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impacting their academics, and self-esteem and they may begin to view the world as an unsafe and unjust space leading to a long-term psychological effect.

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

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