Millions of children worldwide are victims of the horrifying reality of child sexual abuse, which permanently damages the physical, emotional, and mental health of the victims. With the establishment of its Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Program, LEAF stood as a ray of hope. This important project sought to end the taboo around this horrible crime, arm kids and caregivers with information, and establish a secure space where innocence is upheld.
Child sexual abuse is a widespread and extremely upsetting problem that needs immediate response. One in ten children worldwide have experienced sexual violence, according to UNICEF. In India, the National Crime Records Bureau documented over 100,000 incidences of child abuse in a single year. LEAF understood how urgent it was to protect kids from exploitation and provide assistance to those who had survived.
Concerned individuals, communities, and stakeholders responded overwhelmingly well to LEAF’s Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Program. Parental, educator, and caregiver-focused workshops, seminars, and counseling sessions marked the beginning of the campaign. Adults who attended these programs gained the information and abilities necessary to recognize abuse indicators and respond appropriately.
Additionally, LEAF worked with local government agencies, educational institutions, and schools to put age-appropriate seminars for kids into place. The program’s main goals were to help kids become more resilient, self-aware, and capable communicators who can defend themselves and ask for assistance when necessary.
The Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Program and Legal Support provided by LEAF had a significant and wide-ranging impact. By providing information to communities, the initiative created a climate in which safeguarding children became a shared duty. Children felt safer and more at ease speaking up as adults become more watchful. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee, LEAF assists POCSO victims with mental health support and legal matters. Currently, LEAF is involved in 179 cases where it works directly with the organization’s designated advocates and support persons.
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