A Study on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Incest-Based Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse (CSA) occurs when adults or older adolescents exploit children for sexual gratification, profoundly impeding their growth and development. Research from the “Sexual Abuse Recovery Program Unit at South Oaks Hospital, New York” reveals that around 70% of child abusers are repeat offenders, a distressing statistic indicating unsupervised access to children and the risk of recurring abuse. Abusers can range from family members to family acquaintances, tutors, and more. Despite legal safeguards like the POCSO Act in India, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation. Lockdowns confined victims within abusive environments, intensifying the “everyday reality” of abuse and causing severe physical and mental health crises. The breakdown of support networks, such as schools, left victims defenseless against abusers who exploited their power. This chapter delves into the intricate challenges of incest-based CSA, considering the pandemic’s impact and citing journals and testimonials. The chapter advocates a comprehensive approach based on international guidelines to address this deeply concerning issue.