02 Sep Komal: A movie on awareness about Child sexual abuse ( CSA).

“Komal”

An animation film released by Childline India,recently won the National Award, 2015 for the Best Educational Film. It covers the sensitive topic of child sexual abuse in a very simple and interactive manner and informs children what they should do to protect themselves in the face of abuse.

According to a 2013 Human Rights Watch report, more than 7,200 children in India are victims of sexual abuse every year, and many more cases go unreported. In spite of such shocking figures, there is still a grave silence surrounding this issue. Not many parents and teachers talk to their children about child sexual abuse (CSA) as openly as they should. And when the child is not informed, he/she does not know what to do when faced with such a situation.

As an answer to this, Childline India had come up with a brilliant animation film in 2013. The short film talks about CSA with the help of an interactive story informing children what exactly should be done in the face of abuse.

The film, which is named ‘Komal’, recently won the 62nd National Award, 2015 for the Best Educational Film. Earlier, it had also won the FICCI Best Animated Frames (BAF) Award, 2014 under the Animated Short Film – Professional (International) category. It was commissioned to the production house Climb Media, by Childline India Foundation.

The film talks about safe and unsafe touch that children should be aware of and discusses personal safety in detail.

It begins with the story of Komal, a 7-year-old girl who is abused by her father’s friend, and moves on to show what her family does after she shares the truth with her mother.

It highlights the important fact that children should not feel that they are the ones who have done something wrong, and should make sure that they talk to somebody they trust.

One of the best things about the 10 minute video is that it concentrates on the abuse of both boys and girls.

Not only does it talk about something that is always veiled behind dark covers, but it does so in such a simple manner that it becomes easy for people to relate to it. The clear way in which it brings out an extremely important message is commendable.

The film can be an eye opener for many families, parents, teachers and children in the country.

It has been converted into 12 regional languages and can be viewed on the YouTube channel of Childline. It is also endorsed by Women and Child Development Ministry and the Central Board of Secondary Education.

Watch the short film here

Source: ThebetterIndia