More to a child’s bruise than meets the eye

When a doctor sees a bruise on a child, they assume it is from the playground.

However, they are now realising that bruises can be a sign of molestation, said Sri Lanka-based Dr Harendra De Silva, who had authoured a textbook for the World Health Organisation (WHO) on child abuse.

De Silva, who was in Madurai as a resource person for a seminar on the subject recently, observed that factors such as seemingly innocent bruises, bleeding cuts and fractures, combined with insecurity and confusion in the behaviour, were only the tip of the iceberg with regard to child sexual abuse (CSA).

The recipient of a senior fellowship by the Ashoka Foundation, an organisation which recognises social entrepreneurs, he was instrumental in establishing the National Child Protection Authority of Sri Lanka in 1999.

His innovative initiatives were recognised the world-over and UNICEF had proposed his model for international application. According to a survey by the Central Government in April 2007, more than 50 per cent of the children surveyed had been sexually abused.

De Silva pointed out that it was a daunting task to break the prevailing cultural mindset and accept the ugly existence of CSA as a reality.

“Also, almost every perpetrator of CSA is somebody you know. They are normally figures of authority, who have gained the trust of a child. Hence, that definition can include a father, teacher, uncle, grandfather and neighbour,” he explained. This made it very difficult for the family to accept a child as a victim of a sexual offence.

In Indian society, strong familial ties, a rich culture and claustrophobic traditions were cited as reasons to shrug off the threat of CSA.

“It is certainly not valid as the devadasi system had proved the existence of CSA in India’s traditional fabric,” de Silva pointed out.

According to him, only an increased awareness and sensitisation towards the issue could help protect children from abuse. “The Government, NGOs and society should adopt prevention as a major strategy against CSA.

Awareness is the key for prevention and the different campaigns targeting different groups, including the children, parents, teachers and medical practioners,” de Silva added.

Those responsible for the well-being of a child should balance trust, like a walk on a tightrope, where a slip could prove disastrous for a child’s future, he asserted.