Prevention of CSA

Feedback

  1. Many parents shared that they felt shy about discussing the topic of CSA with their children. However, our sessions have empowered them with the courage to initiate conversations and have provided the right methods, tips, and information to break the ice with their children.
  2. Teachers in many schools shared their difficulties in handling disclosures, citing a lack of knowledge and understanding of the processes involved. Our sessions have addressed this issue by providing them with all the necessary information and equipping them adequately.
  3. After our session on love, attraction and friendship for adolescent girls, one of the participants, Rekha (name changed) shared that she gained clarity to navigate her current relationships and focus her energy and time on her career.

Awareness, in our opinion, is the first step towards prevention and the beginning of recovery. We have been conducting awareness sessions for the last 22 years with a mission to ensure that all children are

  • able to realize their right to a safe and secure environment,
  • free from abuse in which their dignity is protected and their capacities developed to their fullest potential.

As we handle cases across a range of ages, we understand that sessions must be conducted to address the different developmental stages the child undergoes, and ensure that information is disseminated in an age-appropriate manner.

Outcome(FY 2017-2023)

99,184 children & adults
have been sensitized on the critical issue of CSA

4017 police personnel
have been trained on CSA & POCSO

Outcome(FY 2022-2023)

35 Street Plays performed
for a total of 3130 participants

30 Puppet Shows performed
for a total of 3130 participants

16 community walls painted
involving a total of 755 participants

Case Work Assistance

Journey Beyond Trauma

Jiva (Name Changed), a young girl with hearing impairment, was subjected to sexual abuse that profoundly affected her physical and emotional well-being. Her health deteriorated, and she required extended medical attention due to the traumatic incident she had endured.

After the Initial conversation with Jiva, the social worker assessed the need of the survivor as follows:

  • Ensure Jiva’s health and safety
  • Assist Jiva in recording the 161 statement to aid the legal proceedings against her abuser
  • Offer the necessary support to help Jiva cope with the trauma
  • Engage and involve Jiva’s mother in the recovery process
  • Explore opportunities to receive financial assistance under Manodhairya Scheme 
  • Use of Storytelling method to record the child’s 161 (FIR at Police station) & 164 (Statement in the court) statements

The social worker played a pivotal role in ensuring Jiva’s comfort and cooperation during the FIR & Court proceedings. Recognizing Jiva’s hearing impairment, the social worker employed creative methods, such as storytelling, to help Jiva record her statement. Jiva was encouraged to use sign language during the process to ensure the police accurately recorded her statement.

Jiva, having experienced a traumatic incident, was severely affected. Regular interactions, counselling, and physical assistance were offered by the social worker to navigate the abuse & facilitate her healing journey.

Recognizing the importance of family support, the social worker actively involved Jiva’s mother in the recovery process. Jiva’s mother played a crucial role in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for her daughter during her recovery.

As part of Jiva’s journey to recovery and empowerment, the social worker initiated plans to assist her in receiving financial support under the “Manodhairya” scheme. This step was vital in securing Jiva’s Financial Independence. 

Today, Jiva is back at home, her health has significantly improved, and her emotional state on the path to recovery. The social worker maintains regular contact with Jiva and her mother, offering a safety net and assistance whenever necessary.

Outcome

888 POCSO cases (FY 2017-2023) of abuse
has been provided all the above-mentioned assistance by our case workers.

Free Legal Aid

Outcome (FY 2016-2024)

97 CSA cases
have been given legal assistance till date.

We had 6 convictions,
with sentences ranging from 1 year to 25 years.

Healing with CSA Survivors at CCI

Journey Beyond Trauma

Kirti (Name Changed) was forcefully raped by her mother’s boyfriend and threatened with death if she disclosed it to anyone. However, she mustered the courage to confide in her mother. Her mother promptly filed an FIR against the perpetrator/abuser after which Kirti was sent to a Child Care Institution (CCI) as it was not safe for her to stay at home.

Kirti was stuck and overwhelmed due to all these incidents. But her life took a positive turn through counselling sessions with our counsellor placed at the CCI. In these sessions, Kirti found a safe space to express her thought & emotions and gradually achieved a sense of relaxation.

She has also enrolled for Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) from Tech Mahindra. FFCP Muskaan facilitated her enrolment fees and provided support for all admission procedures. Furthermore, Kirti is benefitting from free legal aid extended by our team.

By immersing herself in a busy schedule of education and professional training, Kirti has found a way to distance herself from the darkest phase of her life. This not only serves as a coping mechanism but also motivates her to strive for an improved quality of life. The unwavering support of her mother and the intervention of FFCP Muskaan have collectively paved the way for a new and promising chapter in Kirti’s life.

CSA is an all-pervasive issue and leaves nobody untouched. The alarming rise and reporting of CSA as per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report 2022 says that 

  • 7 Children are sexually abused every hour 
  • 167 Children are sexually abused every day in India
  • Maharashtra has become the most unsafe state for children as per the report with registration of 7572 cases of Child Sexual Abuse and 161 in Pune

Our own data for the year 21-22 speaks that majority of children have been sexually abused by the father, step-father, grandfather and uncle, who are supposed to provide them love, care, and protection. 

The act of CSA by itself is heinous, but it is more dreadful when a person the child is expected to run to is the one who betrays the trust by breaking her right to dignity in the privacy of their home.

Outcome(FY 2023-2024)

53 POCSO cases
counselled at CCIs. 

155 counselling sessions
with CSA survivors were conducted

53 counselling sessions
with parents of CSA survivors were conducted

34 counselling reports
were submitted to CWC

15 children were trained
on Jewellery making at Satara CCI.

23 children
were trained on fashion designing course.

70 children
have been trained on 12 modules of Life skill such as CSA/POCSO, Self-awareness, Communication, Problem Solving, Team Building, Conflict Management, Goal Setting, Decision making, Creative Thinking etc.

16 sessions
of storytelling have been conducted for a total of 30 children at St. Crispin’s home.

16 children
are being trained on Karate at Satara CCI.

5 girls
are being supported financially to address various need such as enrolling for Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) at Tech Mahindra, materials for beautician course, ration, existential needs, issuing of documents etc.

Restorative Services with Children in Conflict with the Law

Journey of Restoration

Prakash (Name Changed), one of the boys at observation home took a deep interest in the sports activities conducted by us. Our sports trainer identified him and trained him for running race. Prakash got a chance to participate in the Pune Hill Half Marathon 2023 and completed the race successfully. Despite facing challenging circumstances, Prakash’s participation in a marathon event not only showcased his determination but also highlighted the potential for positive transformation among children in such situations. Prakash said “I could have tried to run away from there but I thought, if I try to run away from here today, no one will get such a chance. I am very happy to participate in this. Thank you FFCP Muskaan for giving me this opportunity.”

FFCP-Muskaan has its counselling interventions at the boys’ Observation Home, Pune since 2015 and has handled a total of 423 cases. As per our findings, although there are programs at observation homes for improving the child’s situation yet it requires additional support and robust intervention to bring them back to the society as dignified individuals.

We have dealt with cases where our counselling sessions are helping the CCL to identify the skills within them to choose better career options and move ahead in life. For e.g., Anil (Name changed) got motivated and represented OH at the state level for football.

Outcome(FY 2015-2023)

424 POCSO cases
counselled at OH

876 counselling sessions
with CCL were conducted

170 counselling sessions
with parents of CCL were conducted

Outcome (FY 2023-2024)

96 sessions on Life skills
topics such as CSA/POCSO, Self-awareness, Communication, Problem Solving, Team Building, Conflict Management, Goal Setting, Decision making, Creative Thinking have been covered in last 8 Months

32 sessions of Djembe
have been conducted for a total of 30 boys at observation home

192 sessions of sports
have been conducted for a total of 60 boys at observation home

96 sessions of dance
have been conducted for a total of 40 boys at observation home

Community Intervention

Feedback

One of our community volunteers shared that the training given by FFCP-Muskaan has had such a deep impact on her as a parent, that she herself refrains from physically abusing her own children. She is proud to be a part of this great initiative to save children from being sexually abused.

Our community model includes mobilization of active individuals in the community settings and training them to act as our eyes and ears in the community. These trained community advocates would be equipped with basic knowledge on counselling and legal issues and would spread the word on the issue of CSA. This would mean more awareness in the community and better ownership of the issue leading to more disclosures.

The intervention also involves the convergence of all stakeholders, including police, hospitals, judiciary, Child Welfare Committees, and civil society, to ensure a quick and effective response with minimal trauma to victims. The long term expected outcome would be reduction in cases of CSA.

Outcome(FY 2023-2024)

20 community volunteers
identified and trained on the concept of para- counselling and para legal topics

9 disclosures
referred to FFCP Social workers

32 school sessions
in schools close to the communities

20 networking sessions
with local stakeholders

2 rallies
to Police station

10 special
days celebration

2 Bal Panchayats
Actively engaged in community activities