A bus driver rapes twelve children….a father rapes his five-year-old daughter and kills her….. an uncle rapes his niece while her parents are away…. an elder cousin molests and rapes a seven-year-old school girl…. a child living on the street is raped by a man in the dead of night – these are but a few of the horrible headlines from newspapers across India and the world. Child sexual abuse is prevalent across the globe, and has grown disconcertingly in recent times. Yes, paedophiles are on the prowl! Of the reported cases of sexual abuse, as much as 23% relate to the girl child (it is also over 10% for the boy child). Most sexual offenders are acquainted with their victims. A global study states that over 30% of such offenders are brothers, fathers, uncles or cousins, while 60% are ‘friends’ of families, babysitters or neighbours – or people known to them. Only 10% are complete strangers, who take advantage of children in unfortunate circumstances. Dr. Brahamadeep, Psychiatrist at the Civil Hospital, says, “Children are unfortunately easy targets for these criminals. Many of the victims can’t properly express their views or feelings. The crime is therefore expected to remain hidden forever. But I must admit that nowadays people are much more aware and they are not scared of lodging complaints. Even in Haryana people are coming forward to protest against such crimes, which is a very good sign.” As per experts, these offenders, whoever they are, cannot be considered as normal or having socially acceptable behaviour. These ‘sick’ guys are mentally messed up and obsessed with molesting or raping young children because they are perhaps scared to attempt similar acts with older girls or women. ‘Men’ who rape tend to have little control even over other aspects of their lives or relationships. A rapist believes that this act gives him ‘power’, the power to hurt someone else. He is mentally depraved and finds joy in hurting someone who is ‘inferior’ in physical strength. Dr. Saurabh Mehrotra, a Psychiatrist at Medanta Hospital says, “Most of the victims suffer from mental trauma, which becomes pronounced over time. These types of psychological disorders progress through various stages, often culminating in the survivor undergoing a complete change in personality. Most of the criminals are very often close relatives or persons extremely familiar with the victim and her family. I would also like to add that such crimes are not new to our society. We are becoming more aware because people are noticing this more and the victims and their families are willing to report these crimes. However, the extent – in both numbers and cruelty – has definitely gone up. Every section of our society is affected with such crime.”
In India, a large number of cases of child sexual abuse go unreported. The parents are scared of the repercussions on the child, when she is faced with the trauma of having to relive such heinous acts. Besides, there is the social stigma, which parents themselves are unable to face, especially since most of the offenders are known to them as well as the child. Social scientists and psychologists believe that rape is not just difficult to predict, but also difficult to comprehend. Often these acts are attributed to issues related to social mores, gender, depravity and masculinity. Rapists do not belong to any particular section of society. They rape children or even women because they do not believe they can achieve physical gratification in any other way. “They do not believe that they can develop normal relationships with women,” a psychologist observes. “Emotional intimacy is missing in such men,” adds Malhotra. According to another social scientist, who works closely with rapists who have been jailed, very often men turn rapists because they no longer enjoy any relationship with their wives. “They begin to fantasise, and look for sexual gratification in young helpless children,” he says. The rise of Internet porn has just added fuel to the fire.
Gurgaon reported a horrific incident only a few days ago wherein a five-year old girl was brutally raped and sodomised by a 32-year-old man. The man, not related to her, was quite drunk when he saw her on the street and enticed her in with some sweets. He had intended to kill her after abusing her. Mercifully, he was caught in time. The girl is still recuperating at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi. It will be a while before the police are able to comprehend the man’s mind and the reasons for him committing this heinous crime. Alcohol will become an easy ‘excuse’, for his not being ‘in his senses’. The fact is that he is a depraved man who has committed a dastardly crime. Dr. Anju Rawat Negi, Advocate, says, “These kinds of criminals are suffering from mental illness. They have no humanity within. Sometimes it is an act of revenge; at other times it might just be a frivolous act – ‘fun’." She adds, “I believe that the mentality of such criminals won’t really change, though the fraternity continues to hope that a new environment and education might compel them to mend their ways. There is really no mechanism to discern what goes on inside the heads of such perverts." Dr Negi strongly feels that whatever may be the reason behind such a dastardly act as rape, the verdict and punishment – exemplary - must be delivered fast. "Justice delayed only emboldens these criminals and even encourages them to continue abusing innocent children," she added. There are of course stringent laws within the purview of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act. But despite obvious offences, very often it is quite difficult for the police authorities to determine the veracity of the crime. In the process, thousands of such criminals go scot-free and many others are not convicted for years. “We are taking every possible step to stop such crime. What is helping us in our duty is the refreshingly bold attitude of the victims and the citizens. They are definitely showing more courage to speak out against criminal acts. In Gurgaon the people are now coming forward to help the law, without worrying so much about repercussions and personal dangers. This definitely is a good sign," say police officials.
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