CSAAM April 2011 – Did It Happen? I Hope NOT… NEVER

It was the year 2006. We were at Jodhpur then.

I had gone to a Watch shop to get the strap of my watch replaced. While the shopkeeper was doing the needful, I was looking around idly.

Just then a 10-12 year old girl in a school uniform walked in with a 25-26 year old man. This man had his arm around her and was holding her too close. What I found very disturbing, as soon as I saw this man was the sly smile which was plastered all over his face.

The girl was laughing a lot and was at ease with him, so I believe, she knew him. Next, I hear this guy asking her to select any watch she fancied and he clearly steered her to the showcase which had inexpensive plastic watches.

While the girl looked at the watches with a grin on her face, this man stood just behind her… rather too close and all the while caressing her arms. He was thoroughly enjoying whatever he was doing.

The girl oblivious to his sinister thoughts and actions was busy looking at the goodies. This whole scene shocked and repulsed me and I just couldn’t take my eyes off them.

I left the shop soon after but with highly agitated and disturbed emotions, thoughts and questions buzzing in my head… I just hoped… that I was completely wrong and the man and the lil’ girl shared a perfect healthy relationship… that the family could know of the guy’s bad intentions before anything happened to the kid… and that nothing wrong ever happened to that girl.

I also wondered… could I have done something at that point of time? May be said something to that girl or to that sick man? Or voiced my fear to the shopkeeper?? I don’t know, if all that would have resulted in something, but it sure makes me feel guilty still.

This incident made me all the more paranoid and vigilant about child sexual abuse.
I believe, being proactive in protecting our kids is the best way to deal with CSA. I prefer to take my son along with me (against his wishes, sometimes) rather than leave him alone with the servant at home. My antenna’s are always up and eyes keep tracking the activities and behaviour of kids. Keep sharing about the good and the bad things, the right and the wrong. And bottom line is to keep all channels of communication with kids open always!!

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