[Answered] “How can preventive measures like sex education and awareness programs help in addressing the problem of child sexual exploitation in India?” (150 words)

The Supreme Court’s recent judgment on Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) underscores the urgency of addressing this grave problem, which often goes unnoticed by the public. India, unfortunately, ranks highest in the world in terms of uploading CSEAM content, as shown by the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) data, and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports reflect a dramatic rise in child pornography cases, from 44 in 2018 to 1,171 in 2022.

Role of Preventive Measures like Sex Education and Awareness Programs

• Breaking the Cycle of Demand and Production: The SC emphasized that the act of viewing CSEAM, even in private, creates demand, which fuels the production of such exploitative material. Preventive measures like sex education and awareness programs can help reduce this demand by sensitizing children and adults about the nature of CSEAM and its devastating impact on victims.
• Empowering Children and Parents: Sex education in schools and awareness programs for parents can empower both children and families to recognize, report, and prevent abuse. Children need to be taught about consent, bodily autonomy, and the dangers of online exploitation.
• Challenging Misconceptions and Taboos: A major barrier in addressing CSEAM is the presumption that the material being viewed comes from other countries and that it doesn’t involve local children. However, investigations by Kerala Police revealed that many of the videos involved local children, often filmed using covert means like spy cameras.
• Psychological Impact on Victims: The SC judgment highlights the lifelong trauma faced by victims, exacerbated by the knowledge that their abuse is being viewed by countless strangers. Awareness programs can focus on destigmatizing victims and fostering a compassionate environment for survivors. By promoting open discussions on the issue, society can become more empathetic, and victims can be encouraged to come forward without fear of judgment.
• Tackling Online Exploitation: With the rise of child pornography groups operating on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, awareness campaigns must also focus on educating children and parents about online safety. Children must be taught about the risks of sharing personal information, photos, and videos online, while parents should be aware of how to monitor internet usage and detect signs of exploitation.

Conclusion

The SC’s judgment on CSEAM has highlighted a serious and pervasive issue in India, calling for a comprehensive approach to tackle it. While legal enforcement is crucial, preventive measures like sex education and awareness programs are indispensable in curbing the demand for CSEAM, empowering children and communities, and ultimately safeguarding children from exploitation. A multi-faceted approach involving law enforcement, schools, parents, and society is required to protect children from the horrors of sexual exploitation, both online and offline.