April 24, 2025, marked a significant milestone for Dil Se — we conducted our first seminar on “Understanding and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” at the ASAP Community Skill Park in Kalamassery.
The half-day seminar brought together nearly 50 participants — educators, social workers, counsellors, government representatives, community leaders, and concerned citizens — all of whom work with children in various capacities. What united them was a shared commitment to understand child sexual abuse (CSA) more deeply and contribute to lasting change.
Setting the Stage
The morning began with a warm welcome from Thara, a senior social worker at Dil Se. In her moving introduction, she reminded everyone that conversations around CSA often surface only in the aftermath of disturbing incidents, and emphasized the need for sustained, proactive engagement. She also shared the journey of Dil Se — from its early work with a children’s home to the establishment of Tejus Home for abused pregnant teenagers, the launch of the Child Advocacy Centre, and the organization’s ongoing community awareness programs.
Exploring CSA Through Storytelling
Participants were then introduced to a real-life-inspired case story of a girl abused by her best friend’s father. They were asked to reflect on the roles of five characters in the story and rank them from most to least responsible. This exercise sparked critical thinking and allowed participants to examine how societal biases and silence can perpetuate harm. It was heartening to see that nearly everyone correctly identified the girl as the least culpable and the perpetrator as the most.
Understanding CSA and the POCSO Act
This led into an informative and accessible session — delivered in both English and Malayalam — on the nature of child sexual abuse, including signs of abuse, grooming behaviors, the emotional and psychological impact on children, and the importance of safe disclosures. A key segment was a clear, practical explanation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which outlined adult responsibilities when abuse is suspected and how to report it without retraumatizing the child. Trigger warnings were shared appropriately, ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
Sharing Experience, Building Connection
Drawing from Dil Se’s own work on the ground, a session was held on the importance of talking openly about CSA and introducing age-appropriate conversations on sex and sexuality. The focus was on respectful, trust-building communication between adults and children — a crucial component in both prevention and healing.
Collaboration in Action
In the final segment, participants were divided into small groups to explore three questions:
- How can Dil Se support your work?
- How can you support Dil Se?
- How can we, together, bring this issue into broader public consciousness?
The responses were rich with insight and practical suggestions, which Dil Se plans to carry forward in its future work.
The day concluded with a collective pledge to combat child sexual abuse through three key actions:
- Acknowledge CSA as a serious issue and help dismantle the stigma surrounding it;
- Educate ourselves continuously on the topic;
- Take appropriate action when abuse is suspected.
Participants - including educators, social workers, and community members - engaged in group discussions, brainstorming ideas, sharing insights, and collaborating in an open, inclusive setting.
Looking Ahead
This seminar was not just an event — it was a beginning. It reinforced the urgent need for continued dialogue, collaboration, and action. Encouraged by the thoughtful participation and the strength of collective intent, Dil Se is now planning a larger-scale conference towards the end of the year. This upcoming event will invite external experts who specialize in various dimensions of CSA, expanding our shared mission to create a world where every child can grow up safe, seen, and protected.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us on this important day. Real change begins when we face hard truths with open hearts — and act.