The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, observed annually on November 19, highlights the need to protect children from violence, exploitation, and neglect. In India, child abuse remains a critical issue affecting children across all socioeconomic strata. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has recorded alarming increases in reported cases, encompassing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. While legal frameworks such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act are in place, gaps in implementation and social stigma hinder effective prevention and justice.

Child abuse in India manifests in numerous forms, including physical violence, sexual exploitation, emotional neglect, and forced labor. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded over 1.49 lakh crimes against children in 2021, a 16.2% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, a significant portion of these crimes involved sexual offenses, with nearly 53% of children in a 2007 Ministry of Women and Child Development study reporting experiences of sexual abuse. Tragically, the perpetrators are often those in positions of trust—family members, teachers, or neighbors—compounding the victims’ trauma.

India has enacted several laws to protect children from abuse. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012, is a cornerstone legislation designed to safeguard minors from sexual abuse and exploitation. Under POCSO, all forms of sexual offenses against children are criminalised, and child-friendly legal procedures are mandated to reduce secondary trauma during the judicial process.

Additionally, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, focuses on the rehabilitation of child victims and the punishment........

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