Journals Information
International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 5(4), pp. 181 - 196
DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2017.050404
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Institutional Care and Response to Victims of Child Sexual Abuse in India: The Role of Non-governmental Organizations & Public Hospitals
Aditi Das *
School of Social Welfare, Mack Center for Nonprofit and Public Sector Management in the Human Services, The University of California, Berkeley, United States
ABSTRACT
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a violation perpetuated in secrecy and shrouded in silence. In India, a 2007 report revealed that over half the children reported having faced sexual abuse, the abusers were known to the child and the cases were mostly unreported. This prevalence is accentuated by patriarchal norms that persist in India wherein upholding familial honour trumps providing support to a CSA victim. For those who seek support, institutional care namely non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public hospitals often become the first point of contact for most victims and their families. Therefore the qualitative study located in Mumbai, India was motivated from the perspective of understanding the role of institutional support with regards to prevention and intervention in CSA. Findings highlight that most NGOs adopt a holistic strategic plan while dealing with CSA cases in terms of case-management and prevention efforts, whereas public hospitals mostly focus on the medico-legal elements of the case for evidentiary purposes. Early and timely intervention is critical for arresting future CSA symptoms from arising. Study findings have implications for more strategic reform and collaborative engagement across various institutions of care and support for CSA whilst breaking the silence on CSA in India.
KEYWORDS
Child Sexual Abuse, Institutional Care, India, Public Hospitals, Case Management, Non-governmental Organizations
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Aditi Das , "Institutional Care and Response to Victims of Child Sexual Abuse in India: The Role of Non-governmental Organizations & Public Hospitals," International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 181 - 196, 2017. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2017.050404.
(b). APA Format:
Aditi Das (2017). Institutional Care and Response to Victims of Child Sexual Abuse in India: The Role of Non-governmental Organizations & Public Hospitals. International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), 5(4), 181 - 196. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2017.050404.