Experts warn rising child abuse reflects gaps in education, digital risks, weak systems, and delayed responses, leaving minors increasingly exposed and unprotected
Dr Nandita D’Souza, Director of SETHU
“The single most important reason for the increase in child sexual abuse is the lack of sexuality and personal safety education in young children, right from the preschool years. Prevention is more effective than detection because children are empowered with knowledge, self-awareness, confidence in the ability to say no, and inform responsible adults. Sexuality education starts from birth, and parents must be given the information and skills to create physical and digital safety. When children enter online spaces, sexual predators get ready access to them without the risk of being seen. Grooming is easier online.”
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Peter Borges, Former chairman of Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
“Today, social media is not just a platform — it is a space where relationships are formed, trust is built, and increasingly, exploitation begins. We are witnessing a shift from isolated incidents to patterns of digital grooming, coercion, and the circulation of intimate content among adolescents themselves. The speed and scale at which harm spreads today are unprecedented. A single moment of vulnerability can become permanent, amplified, and impossible to contain. Yet, our systems continue to respond as if this is still a slow, offline problem. The real crisis is not just rising cases — it is our lack of preparedness.”
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Arun Pandey, Founder & Director, Arz (Anyay Rahit Zindagi)
“The Curchorem sexual abuse case involving minors is not merely an isolated criminal act but a stark indictment of systemic failure at multiple levels. The prolonged nature of the abuse strongly indicates that early warning signs were either ignored or went undetected — pointing to a breakdown in community vigilance as well as the police beat system. While the culpability of the perpetrator is absolute, the inability of local systems to identify and intervene in a timely manner reflects serious lapses. This raises critical questions about accountability, monitoring, and responsiveness.”
