Bola is an initiative to break silence on child sexual abuse.

STATisticS on Child sexual abuse

• Evidence indicates that 53% of the population has experienced some form of sexual abuse.
• 89% of all abuse is by a family member or a friend of the family. Thus, the silence is maintained.
• Boys, at 72%, are more abused than girls, at 65%.
• Over 70% of all child abuse cases are never spoken about.

WHY DO WE EXIST ?

Bola was started by a bunch of survivors of child sexual abuse in Pune, India in March 2017. It started of as a project taken up by a survivor in a leadership programme and went on to becoming a movement.

Bola is primarily a support group of adult survivors of child sexual abuse who come together to seek support, healing and recovery by sharing with other survivors who have undergone a similar journey. It stands for ending the isolation that survivors have experienced for many years.

We further engage in dialogue with different communities such as - teachers, parents, NGOs, corporates.

WHY DO WE ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE ?

Child sexual abuse in a global pandemic. Evidence indicates that every second child has experienced some form of sexual abuse. Abusers in most cases are known people who hold responsible roles and positions. The trauma and the impact of the abuse lasts for years to come, until the survivor has found catharsis.

Stopping, and preventing child sexual abuse is everyone's issue. It will take the world to stop it from occurring.

Some of the common long term impact of abuse and neglect include:

• Emotional difficulties such as anger, anxiety, sadness or low self-esteem
• Mental health problems such as depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self harm, suicidal thoughts
• Problems with drugs or alcohol
• Disturbing thoughts, emotions and memories that cause distress or confusion
• Poor physical health such as obesity, aches and pains
• Struggling with parenting or relationships
• Worrying that their abuser is still a threat to themselves or others
• Learning difficulties, lower educational attainment, difficulties in communicating
• Behavioural problems including anti-social behaviour, criminal behaviour.

(Source: NSPCC)

CAN YOU IMAGINE A MAJORITY (>53%) OF THE POPULATION AFFECTED BY THIS?