When culture conflicts with the law

: understanding parental perceptions and attitudes towards child sexual abuse in India

Abstract

Approximately one in every four children in India is sexually abused each hour, raising questions about the overall well-being of children and efficacy of efforts made by the government and other stakeholders to meet their Sustainable Development Goal targets related to child protection. Although there is the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012 to address sexual crimes against children, such crimes persist. In addition, despite ongoing debates on protecting children from violence and abuse, little attention is paid to understanding and changing parental perceptions and knowledge of, and attitude towards, child sexual abuse. Therefore, this study examines parental perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes towards child sexual abuse in India and the role of culture in shaping them. The study was designed as grounded theory research underpinned by the Radical Feminist perspective. Overall, 20 parents, ten males and ten females, were purposively selected from two provinces in New Delhi to participate in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews. Although parents demonstrated general awareness of child sexual abuse in the community, they also showed limited agency to address it. Parents Characterised child sexual abuse differently, ranging from activities involving sexual encounters with children to extreme incidences of child marriage. However, conversations on child sexual abuse are often silenced in the community, as it has implications for family reputations. Parents' perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes towards child sexual abuse were shaped by ongoing traditional beliefs and cultural norms associated with family life, the lack of community awareness and education, and barriers to the justice system. The study notes that some deeply rooted cultural norms and traditional beliefs related to child sexual abuse are inconsistent with the legal provisions against it. Given the threat posed by child sexual abuse, the limited agency of parents, and the inconsistencies of cultural practices with the legal provisions for child protection, there is a need to strengthen community advocacy targeting parents and community leaders. It is also crucial to streamline the justice system to promote reporting and addressing child sexual abuse incidences.

Date of Award	2023
Original language	English
Supervisor	Daniel Doh (Supervisor)