Sexual Abuse in 8-year-old Child: Where Do We Stand Legally?
DB, a 8-year-old girl, studying in fourth grade and from the Wardha District, was brought in April 2012. Her mother reported change in behavior in form of irritability, withdrawn behavior, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, using abusive language toward parents and younger brother for the past 1 month. These symptoms succeeded the sexual abuse by a 60-year-old local milkman from the same village a couple of days back. Her mother accidently noticed a 20 rupees note in her school bag and during enquiry incidence of sexual abuse was revealed. The milkman used to tie her hands and gag her mouth and lured her by giving her money and abused her. The family lodged a police complaint and brought the girl to us for assessment and management. Police undertook medico-legal formalities prior to bringing her to us.\nShe was retained as a patient for 2 weeks. The girl has normal developmental history with well-adjusted premorbid temperament. After the incidence, her scholastic performance had deteriorated.\nOn examination, the girl was hiding herself behind her mother. She was well dressed, quiet, and had reasonable eye contact. She was frightened, hesitant, and anxious. She was hyper-vigilant and irritable. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Family members were counseled regarding her condition and rehabilitation. In follow-up, we noticed difficulty in speech, nightmares, withdrawn behavior, anger, and outbursts. She was counseled. In subsequent assessment, we found that her family was boycotted by villagers. The social agency of the district with the help of police department relocated the family in a different village.\nIn a follow-up, her mother reported improvement. We continued with counseling and psychotherapy. At present, she is undergoing court proceedings, the case will come for hearing in a couple of year's time.