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DR.

RAM

MAHOHAR

LOHIYA NATIONAL

LAW

UNIVERSITY

PROJECT ON:
(FINAL DRAFT)

Violence against Children Child Abuse


SUBMITTED BY:

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:

SHUBHAM NIDER

MR RAM JI YADAV

ROLL NO: 135

FACULTY OF LAW

SECTION B

DR. RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA

B.A. LLB (Hons.), SEMESTER II

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

SIGNATURE OF STUDENT

SIGNATURE OF PROFESSOR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:Firstly, I would like to thank respected Professor MR. RAM JI YADAV, for giving me such a
golden opportunity to show my skills and capability through this project. This project is the
result of the extensive ultrapure study, hard work and labour, put into to make it worth reading.
It is my pleasure to be indebted to various people, who directly or indirectly contributed in the
development of this work and who influenced my thinking, behaviour, and acts during the
course of study. Lastly, I would like to thank the almighty and my parents for their moral
support and my friends with whom I shared my day-to-day experience and received
lots of suggestions that improved my quality of work.

SHUBHAM NIDER
ROLL NO. 135

Index:1. Introduction
2. The cycle of violence
3. Domestic violence against childrens
4. Definition of violence
5. Sexual abuse
6. What about Neglect?
7. Emotional abuse
8. Physical abuse
9. Why do adults abuse childrens?
10. Ways to prevent child abuse
11. Working with childrens

Introduction:The spread of intentional physical and mental violence against children from their parents or
guardians has been extensivel noticeable and revealed over the last few decades. By becoming
more transparent, the violence that
is committed against children, we discover that children are more susceptible to become
victims of violence than adults.

The dependency of children and especially traditional beliefs that parents and grownups have
total rights over children has exposed children to violence. On top of this traditional beliefs that
say children are not reliable witnesses, has on time and time again resulted in not listening or
ignoring childrens complaints or cries for help.
It is a crying shame for mankind, when smallest and most vulnerable member of the human
race must wait longer than others to have the right to physical health and their social identity
be officially recognised, and be protected from violence.
In this article violence is defined as a kind of intentional behaviour of people towards people
that could inflict physical or mental injuries.

The Cycle of Violence:There are no simple definitions to the cycle of violence. There is no doubt that direct
experience with violence and neglect during childhood, increases the risk of violent behaviour
during adulthood. However not all children victims turn to violence later in life.

Domestic Violence against Children:Although domestic violence can appear in different forms and the awareness levels of people
and their reactions to it may vary, however the importance and extent of this predicament is a
global issue. The family is the most important and the original institution of society for
bringing up and protecting children. However this same institution can be the cause of
violence, pain and suffering. All over this planet, women and children are murdered, maimed,
are assaulted and battered, and sold. Millions of human beings are suffering in the confines of
their families, and unfortunately knowledge and information about this is only the tip of the
iceberg, an iceberg that still many believe it to be their private domain.
Dynamics of domestic violence are unhealthy for children:

control of family by one dominant member.


abuse of a parent.
isolation.
protecting the "family secret".

Children react to their environment in different ways, and reactions can vary depending on the

child's gender and age.


Children exposed to family violence are more likely to develop social, emotional,
psychological and or behavioral problems than those who are not. Recent research indicates
that children who witness domestic violence show more anxiety, low self esteem, depression,
anger and temperament problems than children who do not witness violence in the home. The
trauma they experience can show up in emotional, behavioral, social and physical disturbances
that effect their development and can continue into adulthood.

Definition of Child Abuse:According to World Health Organization (WHO) the term child abuse is any behaviour
directed toward a child by a parent, guardian, care giver, other family member, or other adult,
that endangers or impairs a childs physical or emotional health and development.
Different forms of child abuse are:
1 Sexual abuse
2 Neglect
3 Emotional abuse
4 Physical abuse

Sexual Child Abuse:Any form of sexual exploitation for the fulfilment of sexual needs such as, sexual intercourse,
touching up and any kind of behaviour that is sexual towards children is deemed sexual child
abuse.
Sexual child abuse like other forms of violence against children is not something new, however
due to its increasing transparency throughout all societies there are positive moves that are
taken in support of children. It seems that most sexual child abuse cases take place within the
home and by their relatives; although it does not go without saying that it does not take place

outside of the family either.


Just like physical violence identifying sexual abuse against children is followed by identifying
sexual abuse against women, and in the majority of cases those that commit sexual abuse are
men. Today in most societies assault or sex without consent regardless of age is prohibited.
The definition of sexual exploitation of children in most societies includes any sexual activity
that either is done without consent or even the childs consent is not legally standing.
According to the definition any form of sexual activity with the adults in the family is a crime.
Studies indicate that incest is committed by men of the family, the father, brother or uncle.
Young girls are more threatened with the dangers of sexual exploitation. The numbers of girl
children who are sexually exploited are higher than any other group. On top of this
pornography which is a derivation of sexual exploitation of children and especially organized
sexual exploitation is the publication of the fundamental shameful act against children. In this
form of child abuse not only photos and films of children are published but other children can
be in danger of exposure and viewing of these obscene images.
Unfortunately despite all attempts child pornography has increased on the Internet and other
new technologies.

What about Neglect?


Child neglect is the continued failure to provide a child with necessary care and protection
including adequate shelter, food, clothing, medical care, etc. Lack of appropriate supervision,
especially for young children, for extended periods of time is also considered child neglect.
Signs of possible neglect include:
- Appears poorly nourished or inadequately clothed;
- Appears consistently tired or listless;
- Inconsistent attendance at school;
- Lack of good hygiene or an obsession with cleanliness;
- Is regularly left alone in dangerous situation, or over long periods of time;
- Exhibits evidence that medical needs are not being met;
- Unable to relate well to adults or has trouble forming close relationships.

Emotional and Mental Abuse:Children, and especially dependent children, are particularly vulnerable to mental abuse
committed by their parents and others. Different forms of this type of violence can be from
cursing and reproach, to humiliation and insults, all of which result in the alienation and
harassment of the child. Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child uses the term
emotional violence and points out to the necessity to pay attention to the direct and indirect
effects of domestic violence against children. Studies on domestic violence have shown that
acts of mental or physical violence committed by parents to each other leave deep emotional
scars on the children.
Children that are subjected to emotional violence and humiliation by their parents or teachers,
lack in self confidence and suffer from emotional problems during adulthood. These
individuals caught in the cycle of violence could possibly become violent in adulthood.

Physical Abuse:Physical child abuse comes in numerous degrees. One of the most extreme forms is the murder
of infants (infanticide) which is committed in most parts of the world. In a study that was
carried out on 285 murders in the United Kingdom between 1989 and 1991 where the victims
were under eighteen, only 13% had been murdered by strangers and 60% of the murders were
committed by the parents. Similar statistics have also been reported in the United
States and Australia. There are four times as many children under one-year-old murdered than
those above. Studies show that emotional pressures and running away from responsibilities
towards their children are the main reasons for these murders.
Of other forms of physical abuse against children is corporal punishment on the excuse of
discipline. Almost everywhere around the world, disciplining children and smacking them or
hitting tem with a belt or stick is very common in families and the law supports it. In other
words, disciplining children is the only form of violence which is seen legal. This is while even
a minor assault against an adult is considered as a criminal offence.
Why if violence is not permissible and acceptable for adults then why is it legal for children?
In the cycle of violence, physical violence against children will cause this to happen again in
the future from the same child victim who will be a violent adult in the future who will be a

threat to the health of society.

Why do Adults Hurt Children?


- Maybe because they are angry with the childs behaviour.
- Because they are under pressure and they release these pressures on the children. (Women
who are subjected to violence are generally abusive towards their children.)
- Lack of enough information on how to treat unruly children correctly.
- When children realise that they are subjected to violence from their parents. This improper
method is seen by them [children] as a kind of disciplining process. In fact todays child
abusers are themselves victims of wrongful treatment and abuse during childhood.

Ways to Prevent Child Abuse:1 For establishing healthy and solid family and having children, free practical education for
young couples. This education must include correct child upbringing methods and especially
methods of disciplining without aggression and violent behaviour.
2 Set up and support of protection centres, especially NGOs active in this field, for the
purpose of the protection of vulnerable and victim children.
3 Efforts in the removal of legal obstacles in the way of fighting child abuse.

Working with Children


Trust is a major factor when working with children exposed to domestic violence. Children
need a safe place with an adult they can trust to begin healing.
When first working with a child, it is helpful to ask what makes her/him feel comfortable and
uncomfortable with adults.
Listen to children and provide them with space and respect.

Let children know you care about them, that there are adults interested in their opinions,
thoughts and ideas.
Use books on the subject to help open children up.
Use art, music, drama, and play to help children express themselves.
Refer children to professional counselors, as needed.
Connect children to organizations in the community that work with youth, as appropriate.
Help children develop age-appropriate and realistic safety plans.
Tell them often that someone cares

BIBLEOGRAPHY:www.wikipedia.com

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www.acadv.org

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