From Nappies to Skirts

From braids to ponytails

From High School to College

This journey might seem short but there is a bare truth that has gone inside it.

Parents welcome their little princesses in this world assuring them of a pampered childhood and a pleasant life ahead.

Am currently reading the autobiography of Protima Bedi - Time Pass. Her daughter had completed the preface and she had clearly expressed how she went into a whirlpool of gloom when her mother's boyfriend had spoken to her of sexual favours. The lady who possess a high glam quotient , didn't know how to react then. I am amazed at her honesty, since I've never come across anyone who are open to discuss their unpleasant childhood memories (if they've had any!).

I know girl who lived adjacent to my friend's place. She is ten something and the twinkle in her eye can make any person smile. She's a storyteller (talks like one!) - and I enjoy listening to her stories and poems. It was one day when I and my friend were leaning against the window chit-chatting that we saw her playing with the building watchman. Under the pretex of a game that man had something else in mind. We alerted her mother who then caught him off guard. Random thoughts started to run in my mind. From these random thoughts,coherent thoughts emerged. What cud have been her plight? What cud have been the long-term impact on her?

This is an area that is being ignored and one one wants to talk of it. Somethings are better left unsaid. Child abuse can have severe effects. Typically, most children who go thru child abuse exhibit behavior problems ranging from separation anxiety to posttraumatic stress disorder.


A survey conducted by the National Center for PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder) sited that one out of every five girls is sexually child abused. We can’t deny the fact that it is not happening; it is happening and it is happening around us. We need to be very careful - Pedophiles can be around the corner.

Studies of childhood sexual abuse, define childhood based on age range that may be in adolescence too. Children who are victims of improperly intimate r'ships are worst hit. Brother-sister incest is reported to be more common than the next common (step)father-daughter incest. I have read of such crazy facts, which are ridiculous but imagine the impact they leave on a child's psyche.

I don't say that it is the parent's responsibility to impart knowledge on their children of good touch or bad touch. Let children know that they have the right to prevent the wrong gestures. We need to tell them that authority does not mean to obey everything what those in authority tell them to do. We need to develop strong communication skills which would encourage them to talk openely of their experiences. We need to explain to them the importance of reporting abuse.

So, the next time you sing Que sera sera- what will be, will be to your child, remind yourself - the Future is ours to see!