Child Maltreatment in the Indian Context

Childhood experiences during the early years set a critical foundation for the entire life course, as these shape early child development which in turn strongly influence one’s health throughout life. Child maltreatment includes all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. Adverse childhood experiences/child maltreatment jeopardize the health and well-being of children and adults. A combination of several factors acting at different levels under the influence of various contexts determines the likelihood that maltreatment will occur, recur, or stop and also the lasting impact. Nearly 19% of the world's children who live in India constitute 42% (more than one third) of India’s total population and around 50% of these children are in need of care and protection. Forty percent of India's children are vulnerable to threats such as trafficking, homelessness, forced labor, drug abuse, and crime, and are in need of protection. This article reviews some key aspects of this social evil with the aim of providing an understanding about its significance and impact, the extent of the problem in India, general preventive measures and specific mental health implications