Video Calls For 'Full Stop' To Sexual Abuse Of Children

Sexual abuse of children is rampant in India, yet parents are often unaware when their child is being harmed. But a new campaign hopes to mobilize advocates and survivors to change that.

An estimated 7,200 children, including infants, are raped every year in India, according to Human Rights Watch, and many more cases may go unreported. To demonstrate how easy it is for parents to miss the signs, and to encourage them to become more aware, Full Stop, a new advocacy campaign, has released an eye-opening PSA as part of its national initiative.

The video features a sullen boy who’s reluctant to go to soccer practice, and a mom who’s outraged that her son is suddenly resistant about attending the pricey extra-curricular activity. The boy attempts to explain the situation, but just resorts to scribbling on the back of a seat in the car.

Launched by 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailesh Satyarthi -- who founded child advocacy group Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement) -- Full Stop hopes to empower sex abuse to survivors to speak out and to give families, teachers and first responders the resources to help victims escape the cycle.

Save the Childhood Movement has rescued more than 83,000 children, according to India Today, and works to curb human trafficking and child labor and to promote quality education.

Full Stop will eventually feature survivors’ stories on its website and is encouraging supporters to get involved by donating, volunteering and posting photos of a red hand with the hashtag #FullStop to social media networks.

Find out more about Full Stop and how you can get involved here.

H/T TakePart.