Regulating Child Sexual Abuse in India: A Legal and Regulatory Perspective

Child sexual abuse is a pervasive problem in India, with significant influences on the bodily and mental well-being of children. In reaction to this trouble, India has enacted numerous laws and guidelines geared toward stopping and punishing child sexual abuse. However, the implementation and enforcement of these laws and regulations remains a giant task. This chapter offers an overview of the criminal and regulatory framework in India regarding child sexual abuse, consisting of the legal guidelines that criminalize such conduct, the rights of sufferers and witnesses, and the duties of numerous stakeholders in addressing child sexual abuse. The chapter examines the criminal and regulatory framework for preventing child sexual abuse in India and discusses the demanding situations and obstacles in enforcing and imposing the laws and policies. It offers an outline of the extent of child sexual abuse and evaluation of the diverse laws and regulations which have been enacted to prevent and punish such crimes. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is the main legislation that deals with child sexual abuse in India. However, the Indian Penal Code also includes provisions related to child sexual abuse, such as Sections 376 (rape) and 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman). These legal guidelines, alongside various projects put in place by government authorities, NGOs, and civil society, spotlight the need for ongoing efforts to enhance the safety of children from sexual abuse and ensure that the perpetrators are delivered to justice. Challenges and limitations of the present-day criminal and regulatory framework are discussed and viable measures for development suggested. In the long run, the chapter highlights the need for additional complete and coordinated methods to address child sexual abuse in India.