Day 1- Sexual Abuse and Response Channels

Every year, millions of girls and boys around the world face sexual abuse and exploitation. Sexual violence occurs everywhere – in every country and across all segments of society. With education and training, most abuse can be prevented or interrupted.

Sexual assault occurs when offenders use force, threaten victims, or take advantage of victims who are unable to give permission. The majority of victims and offenders are acquainted. Shock, anxiety, and denial are common first reactions to sexual assault. Anxiety, terror, and post-traumatic stress disorder are examples of long-term symptoms. While efforts to rehabilitate sex offenders have shown to be ineffective, psychological therapies for survivors, particularly group therapy, have shown to be helpful.

Every second child in the United States is a victim of some sort of sexual abuse, according to studies conducted across the country. There is a need to raise sexual abuse awareness and educate the key people in a person's life, such as parents, teachers, and peers, who may make a significant difference in the intervention by reporting it early. There are several incidents that go unreported and undetected.

On the 25th of July 2021, a workshop on Sexual Abuse was organized by Pratisandhi .

The workshop was divided into 2 sessions. First session was conducted by Ananya Chatterjee. She introduced key concepts on sexual abuse , different forms of violence and sexual harassment laws. The second session was conducted by Akanksha Oak who explained on what to do if you are a survivor and how to help others who have had such similar experiences . Basic terms were also covered during the session. Both the sessions also small exercises to better elucidate key concepts.

Overall 20 members and 8 core members participated . This workshop was a good learning experience for the participants. Members were sensitized about the types of abuses and what measures should be taken to prevent such issues.