Published Paper Details:

Abstract Child sexual abuse is a common and a serious social problem in every society. It not only leaves a scar on the soul and the body of the victim, but also puts her entire family into shame and indignity. The majority of sexual assault cases is never reported to avoid social stigma and the number of such cases are only the tip of the iceberg. This study focused on the protection issues and concerns towards sexually abused girls who were living in a vulnerable situation. Case study method was used for data collection. About six case studies of the victims who were sexually abused during 2015 to 2019 were selected for in-depth interview to understand the vulnerability of the girls and their family and the risk factors for ensuring their protection. Home study was also conducted for understanding the family background of the abused girls. For ensuring multiple reasons for protection the researcher presented 6 cases. Interviews with six girls, and the offenders were analyzed with regard to the amount and type of information reported. The study compares the relationship between the protection issues and vulnerability of girls who has experienced sexual abuse living in socially and economically poor families. The majority of the girls reported with severe sexual assaults were from poor family background. In spite of expressing the highest form of insecurity both mentally and physically, the youngest child in this study was not willing to leave her mother emotionally. The present study indicated the girls� difficulties on reporting sexual abuse, even when the perpetrator is a stranger or a familiar person. The outcome of the study showed the vulnerability and its insecurity of protecting the girls from sexual abuse.