More than 50 % of children in India are sexually abused. A study conducted by Plan International also reveals physical punishment exists in Indian schools.
India has almost 19% of the world's children and one thired of India's 1 billion strong poputlation is under 18 years of age. With 50% of the children in need of care and protection, it clearly indentifies there is a crisis. In a Times of India news story on October 26, Ashis Ray reports that 50% of all children in India have been sexually abused.
There are no shortages of studies that indicate India is dealing with a mojor crisis that extends beyond peoples' homes. A report by Plan International, a childrens' organization that is over 70 years old, states that India is ranked third among 13 countries of estimated cost of corporal punishment. Plan International calculates there is a minimum of $1.4 billion lost every year in social benefits because of physical abuse in schools. The U.S. and Brazil ranked highed.
The study also reveals that caste and gender discrimination was the major cause of violence against children in th school system. Many children quit school because of muniliation, which includes getting hit with sticks, being tied to a chair and being forced to stand in various positions for long periods of time. More boys than girls are subjected to corporal punishment.
Plan International blames India's social acceptance of violence as a form of discipline and a lack of awareness about the rights of children in India for this crisis. In schools that were surveyed, there were at least 5 physical beatings every day. Surprisingly many of the interviewed studens believed corporal punishment was sometimes necessary.
For an in-depth link: suite101.com/content/child-abuse-in-india-a303101 and Amnesty International.
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