PEDOPHILIA: WIDELY DISCUSSED BUT HARDLY RESISTED

 

​Regardless of the generation, pedophilia persists as a social norm. It often carries itself as if it has earned the acceptance of society, dismissed as if the incident were merely a mistake or something trivial.

​I have read about the trauma caused by such approaches from men. Most incidents of pedophilia take place under the guise of the "innocent love" of an uncle toward a child, which later evolves into "grooming." I have read the play Thirty Days in September by Mahesh Dattani, which exposes the face of pedophilia across generations.

​In many Indian households, there is often a "creepy uncle." Yet, sometimes parents try to place the blame on their children by pointing to their style of dress. I know this is discussed all over the world, but I would like to say: "Be the change you want to see."

​I still remember a scene I witnessed during a housewarming: a relative was holding her sister a little closer, and I realized that the "creepy uncle" was standing right next to them. She was trying to protect her; it wasn't just protection, but a form of resistance that said, "we won't let you." That is what we need—to ensure we don't let anyone exploit others as if it were their right to do so.

​Erase Pedophilia...

#erasepedophilia