According to a report of Ministry of Women and Child Development, at least 21% children are sexually harassed by being kissed by their relatives or loved ones against their will in the country. Majority of such cases happen with the children of age group 5-12 years.

According to the law, if anyone shows affection towards a child this is a normal behaviour. But, if someone powerfully kisses a child against his or her will then this is a kind of sexual abuse.

The report says that 95 percent of such cases go unreported and the parents or children do not come forward to lodge complain in such incidents. At least 44.98 per cent of boys and 55.02 per cent of girls suffer the pain of sexual harassment by being kissed by their loved ones against their will.

In 31.5 per cent of such cases, family members, neighbors or friends harass children. 21% of such cases take place at home and 18.50% cases occur in schools.

As far as the incidents of sexually harassment in states, the highest number of such cases, ( 56% ) of forceful kissing were reported from Bihar in last year. Maharashtra was placed at second position with 53% of such cases. Uttar Pradesh was at third place with 50% such cases.

The children belong to the age group of below 12 years were found to be more vulnerable with the highest number ( 41.17% ) of such cases reported to the police. Dr Deepak Gupta, child psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital says that kissing a child against his or her wish can be harmful for their mental development. This behavior can affect their mental and psychological development. They can develop several problems such as phobia, sleeplessness and indigestion.

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