Across various annual NCRB reports, the proportion of offenders known to the child consistently stands between 94% and 97%. Over 50% of these cases involve offenders who are close family members, relatives, family friends, or immediate neighbors.
Television actress Shivangi Joshi recently opened up about being molested during her childhood by a man she trusted as an uncle. Sharing her painful experience on Lock Upp 2, the actress said she had kept the trauma to herself for years before finally finding the courage to speak about it publicly. Her revelation has sparked conversations about the silent struggles many survivors carry for years.
Shivangi’s story is a reminder that child sexual abuse is far more common than many people realize, and that it often happens at the hands of someone the child knows and trusts. Many survivors remain silent due to fear, shame, or the belief that they won’t be believed. By speaking up, the actress has encouraged an important conversation about listening to children and creating safe spaces for them.
