Children speak, families struggle in Andhra PradeshCEFR B1
14 Jan 2026
Adapted from Karuna kumari Kandregula, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Prithiviraj A, Unsplash
Field reporting between July 2023 and November 2024 examined multiple mandals in and around Kakinada district. Sessions were run by SafeTalks during community child protection events, and follow-up conversations took place with children, adolescents, teachers, mothers, caregivers and adult survivors. These talks were informal and shaped by local language and cultural norms.
Awareness programmes in schools have increased children's knowledge about personal boundaries and the difference between good touch and bad touch. However, adults were rarely given the same practical guidance. A 2024 study in urban slums found that some adolescents could identify abusive acts but none of the participants knew about the POCSO Act and most did not know where or how to seek help after abuse. The field reporting reflected similar confusion about disclosure pathways and support mechanisms.
Many communities observed are organised around caste and kinship networks. When a child discloses abuse it often becomes a family crisis because caregivers weigh social standing, financial dependence and marriage prospects. This uncertainty led to delayed responses, internal handling of cases, or silence. Formal routes such as CHILDLINE 1098 and the National Commission's e-Box exist, but awareness and trust are inconsistent. Adult survivors described long-term effects when families could not respond protectively.
Difficult words
- mandal — a local administrative area in some Indian statesmandals
- caregiver — an adult who looks after a child or personcaregivers
- disclosure — the act of telling about abuse or harm
- kinship — the family or blood relationships between people
- caste — a traditional social group that affects status
- adolescent — a young person between childhood and adulthoodadolescents
- mechanism — a system or method that produces a resultmechanisms
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might communities improve awareness and trust in formal support routes like CHILDLINE 1098?
- Why do you think adults were rarely given the same practical guidance as children in the programmes? Give two reasons.
- How can family concerns about social standing or marriage prospects affect a child's chance to get help?
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