In India, just 3% of child rape and sexual abuse cases reach the police. Utthan is going to work with ex-victims and local leaders to create an environment that can tackle the problem of sexual violence head-on. We will begin by training 60 community leaders to provide gender sensitive and informed support to victims of child rape and sexual abuse in 120 villages.They will play a key role in overcoming the extreme social stigma and victim-blaming culture that prevents victims from speaking out.
Despite gaining media wide coverage, child rape and sexual violence remains a huge crisis in India that is being hidden from view by a collective silence. In 2011, within the state of Gujarat, 30% of rape victims were under minors, and 14% were below 14. Yet these are merely reported cases. A 2007 governmental report found that of abused children only 25% had told anyone, and in only 3% of cases had the police been informed.
By training these key individuals to become community ambassadors for the prevention of sexual violence against children, Utthan is creating a cadre of sensitive and well informed professionals working in 120 rural villages to end the cultural stigma and blame that are attached to child victims of sexual violence and rape. These community ambassadors will organise awareness campaigns, village meetings and training sessions with key stakeholders including panchayats, teachers and local police.
An environment that is committed to protecting children from sexual violence, that is equipped with the necessary information, tools and authority to make significant, long lasting change in 120 villages housing approx. 60000 families. This will also indirectly prevent early marriage. At least 20 Child Protection Ambassadors are expected to attend higher level, more intensive training including victim rehabilitation advocacy, communicate and negotiate with police and other responsible actors.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
